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Sugammadex: A Novel Agent for the Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade
Author(s) -
Nicholson Wayne T.,
Sprung Juraj,
Jankowski Christopher J.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.27.8.1181
Subject(s) - sugammadex , anticholinergic agents , acetylcholinesterase , anticholinergic , pharmacology , neuromuscular blocking agents , acetylcholine , neuromuscular blockade , acetylcholine receptor , neuromuscular junction , anesthesia , cholinergic , acetylcholinesterase inhibitor , blockade , medicine , chemistry , receptor , rocuronium , neuroscience , biology , biochemistry , enzyme , propofol
To achieve spontaneous ventilation after completion of surgery, the nondepolarizing effects on skeletal muscle relaxation are often reversed by administration of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. However, these agents increase acetylcholine at both the neuromuscular junction and the muscarinic receptors. Therefore, coadministration of an anticholinergic agent is required to prevent parasympathetic adverse effects. In addition, a relative pharmacologic ceiling effect is seen with inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, necessitating some recovery of neuromuscular function before an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor is administered. Sugammadex is a new modified γ‐cyclodextrin compound under clinical investigation in the United States. It does not interact with cholinergic mechanisms to elicit reversal. Instead, it is a selective relaxant binding agent and acts by forming a 1:1 complex with steroidal nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers in the plasma, lowering the effective concentration available at the receptor. Due to its selectivity, sugammadex does not inhibit the effects of nondepolarizing agents of the benzylisoquinolinium class. In contrast to acetylcholinesterase inhibition, sugammadex is effective even when administered during profound blockade, and it does not require coadministration of an anticholinergic agent. It provides a novel mechanism of action for reversal of the neuromuscular block induced by nondepolarizing aminosteroidal agents.