Succinylcholine

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Anectine

Pharmacological Mechanism

Depolarizing neuromuscular blocker — sustained nicotinic ACh receptor activation → fasciculations → flaccid paralysis. Fastest onset of any NMB (~30 sec). Hyperkalemia risk in burns, denervation, prolonged immobility. Trigger for malignant hyperthermia.

Half-Life (t½)

IV: 0.05h

Dosing Guidelines

• IV: Typical 1.5 mg (Range: 1–2 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous

Pathways It Modulates

• Neuromuscular junction blockade + reversal (activator) — nAChR (depolarizing — persistent activation)
• Nicotinic ACh receptor pharmacology (activator) — NMJ depolarizing blocker — Phase I depol → Phase II desensitization

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 5314
• Formula: C14H30N2O4+2
• Molecular weight: 290.42 g/mol
• InChIKey: AXOIZCJOOAYSMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: C[N+](C)(C)CCOC(=O)CCC(=O)OCC[N+](C)(C)C

References

• PMID 16571968