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Muscle Relaxants That Cause Bradycardia

Muscle relaxants are drugs that decrease muscle tone and relax the muscles. These are used to decrease symptoms, such as pain and muscle spasms. Some muscle relaxants can cause bradycardia. Bradycardia is a condition that occurs when the heart rate drops to under 60 beats per minute. Bradycardia causes fainting, weakness, fatigue, chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Reading the labels on medications prior to use can prepare patients for any side effects.

  1. Suxamethonium Chloride

    • Suxamethonium chloride is an odorless muscle relaxant. This drug is used in anesthesia, intensive care and emergency rooms. Suxamethonium chloride is used when a complete paralysis of the body is needed for surgery, intubation or other emergency procedure. An injection of 1.0 to 1.5 mg per kg of body weight causes paralysis within a minute. An injection of 2.0 mg per kg for children causes immediate paralysis. Suxamethonium causes side effects, such as bradycardia, muscle pains, hypertension and cardiac arrest.

    Morphine Sulfate

    • Morphine sulfate is another one among the muscle relaxants that cause bradycardia. Morphine sulfate is also a sedative that you usually take through an I.V. This drug acts as a strong narcotic. With this medication, patients can encounter other side effects: nausea, hypotension, respiratory problems, vomiting and constipation.

    Midazolam

    • Midazolam is a muscle relaxant used in emergency and critical care rooms. If you're using anesthetics, cimetidine or narcotics, the midazolam dose should be reduced by 25 percent. Midazolam includes side effects, such as bradycardia, respiratory problems and hypotension.

    Succinylcholine

    • Succinylcholine is a medication that relaxes the muscles entirely when using a ventilator or during a surgical procedure. This muscle relaxant is commonly used in anesthesia and emergency rooms. Succinylcholine can have other side effects, such as hypertension, pain and cardiac arrest.

    Fentanyl

    • Fentanyl is another one among the muscle relaxants that cause bradycardia. This medication is also used as a sedative. Fentanyl is used in emergency rooms and intensive care units. The drug is administered through an I.V. Fentanyl acts as a semisynthetic. Among the side effects of fentanyl are physical dependence, rigid chest and respiratory problems.

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