Antibiotics and Neuromuscular Function

Clindamycin-induced neuromuscular blockade

“…2-5 In doses of 600-1200 mg it has been shown to prolong the neuromuscular blocking actions of pancuronium, 2 vecuronium 3 but recovery from pipecuronium was not affected by a dose of 300 mg. 4 There is uncertainty whether the block is reversible with calcium or with anticholinesterases although both have been recommended. 5 The purpose of this report is to record a very prolonged neuromuscular block which occurred when an unintentional overdose of clindamycin was given to a patient CAN J ANAESTH 1995 / 42:7 / pp 614-7 who had received only a small defasciculating dose of d-tubocurarine (3 mg) and who demonstrated full clinical recovery from a single dose of succinylcholine before the clindamycin was administered. Calcium had no effect on the block and that recovery following anticholinesterases was minimal.…”

Neuromuscular Blockade with Vecuronium in Paediatric Patients with Burn Injury

“…Two relatively new nondepolarizing relaxants, atracurium and vecuronium, show promise as alternatives to succinylcholine in normal patients because of their short duration of action and minimal cardiovascular effects (Miller et al, 1984;Lennon et al, 1986 (Sokoll & Gergis, 1981;Fuke et al, 1987). However, some patients received cephalosporin and aminoglycoside antibiotics immediately after termination of this study.…”

Interaction of sisomycin with pancuronium.

“…The aminoglycoside group of compounds have a Mg++-like inhibitory effect on presynaptic acetylcholine release and a stabilizing effect on the postjunctional membrane (Sokoll and Gergis 1981). This study suggests that the characteristics of neuromuscular blocking properties of sisomycin sulfate are similar to those of other members of the aminoglycoside group.…”