Vecuronium

Vecuronium is used to relax your muscles. It works by blocking the signals between your nerves and your muscles.

Vecuronium is given before general anesthesia to prepare you for surgery. It helps to keep your body still during surgery. It also relaxes your throat so that a breathing tube can be inserted more easily before the surgery.

Vecuronium may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to any kind of anesthesia.

You should not receive vecuronium if you are allergic to it. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any type of anesthesia.

To make sure vecuronium is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• myasthenia gravis;
• cirrhosis or other liver disease;
• a history of kidney disease;
• heart disease or congestive heart failure;
• problems with circulation; or
• a nerve-muscle disorder such as ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), MS (multiple sclerosis), or muscular dystrophy.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether vecuronium will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using vecuronium.

It is not known whether vecuronium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

You will be closely monitored during treatment with vecuronium. Your caregivers will look out for any serious side effects.

Tell your caregivers right away if you have:

• weak or shallow breathing;
• ongoing muscle weakness; or
• loss of movement in any part of your body.

Common side effects of vecuronium may include:

• muscle weakness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Vecuronium is injected into a muscle, or into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart function, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving vecuronium.

It may take you longer to recover from the effects of vecuronium if you have cirrhosis or other liver disease.

Since vecuronium is usually given only for anesthesia, you are unlikely to have a dosing schedule.

Since vecuronium is administered by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to happen.

Follow your doctor's instructions regarding any restrictions on food, drinks, or activities.

Other drugs may interact with vecuronium, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform each of your health care providers about all the medicines you are currently using and any medicines you begin or stop using.