Generic Name: rocuronium (ROE kure OH nee um)
Brand Names: Zemuron
What is rocuronium?
Rocuronium is used to relax the muscles. It works by blocking the signals between your nerves and your muscles.
Rocuronium is given before general anesthesia in preparing you for surgery. Rocuronium helps keep your body still during surgery. It also relaxes your throat so a breathing tube can be more easily inserted before the surgery.
Rocuronium may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about rocuronium?
Before receiving rocuronium, tell your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis, cirrhosis or other liver disease, a history of kidney disease, heart disease, a history of "Long QT Syndrome," problems with circulation, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to another anesthetic medication.
Before you receive rocuronium, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
There may be other drugs that can interact with rocuronium, especially seizure medication, certain antibiotics, lithium, procainamide, or magnesium. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
It may take you longer to recover from the effects of rocuronium if you have cirrhosis or other liver disease.
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity after you recover from anesthesia.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving rocuronium?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to rocuronium.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special care to safely receive this medication. Before you receive rocuronium, tell your doctor if you have:
myasthenia gravis;
cirrhosis or other liver disease;
a history of kidney disease;
heart disease;
a history of "Long QT Syndrome";
problems with circulation; or
if you have ever had an allergic reaction to another anesthetic medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether rocuronium is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether rocuronium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Before receiving rocuronium, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How is rocuronium given?
Rocuronium is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a hospital or surgical setting.
Your caregivers will monitor your heart function, blood pressure, and breathing while you are under the effects of rocuronium.
It may take you longer to recover from the effects of rocuronium if you have cirrhosis or other liver disease.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since rocuronium is usually given just for anesthesia, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of rocuronium is unlikely to occur since the medication is given by a doctor. Your vital signs will be closely watched while you are under anesthesia to make sure the medication is not causing any harmful effects.
What should I avoid after receiving rocuronium?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity after you recover from anesthesia.
Rocuronium side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your caregivers right away if you have any of these serious side effects:
fast or uneven heart rate;
noisy breathing, feeling short of breath;
ongoing muscle weakness; or
inability to move your muscles.
Less serious side effects may include:
nausea, vomiting;
swelling or discomfort where the medicine was injected;
feeling sleepy or light-headed; or
mild itching or skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Rocuronium Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Anesthesia:
Tracheal intubation: Recommended initial dose is 0.6 mg/kg.
Rapid sequence intubation: 0.6 to 1.2 mg/kg.
Maintenance doses: Guided by response to prior dose, not administered until recovery is evident.
Continuous infusion: Initial rate of 10 to 12 mcg/kg/min. Start only after early evidence of spontaneous recovery from an intubating dose.
What other drugs will affect rocuronium?
Before receiving rocuronium, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
procainamide (Procan, Procanbid, Pronestyl);
seizure medication;
an antacid or mineral supplement that contains magnesium;
steroids such as prednisone, fluticasone (Advair), mometasone (Asmanex, Nasonex), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) and others;
a tetracycline antibiotic such as Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap, demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), or minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin); or
an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), bacitracin (Baci-IM), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), polymyxin (Colistin), colistimethate (Coly-Mycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi), or vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with rocuronium. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More rocuronium resources
- Rocuronium Side Effects (in more detail)
- Rocuronium Dosage
- Rocuronium Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Rocuronium Drug Interactions
- Rocuronium Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Rocuronium - Add your own review/rating
- Rocuronium MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Rocuronium Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Rocuronium Bromide Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Zemuron Prescribing Information (FDA)
Compare rocuronium with other medications
- Anesthesia
Where can I get more information?
- Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about rocuronium.
See also: rocuronium side effects (in more detail)
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