Pharmacodynamic effects of vecuronium: a dose response study

Vecuronium was administered to patients in dosages of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mg/kg to determine the clinical efficacy of large doses of vecuronium. Onset times shortened with larger doses up to 0.3 mg/kg. With 0.4 mg/kg, however, there was no significant improvement in onset time and the duration of action became unpredictable and often prolonged. Mean onset times were 172, 138, 106, and 100 seconds for the four groups, respectively. Prolonged duration of action (43, 96, 111, and 174 minutes, respectively) was observed with increasing dosages. Recovery rates for the first twitch response of the train-of-four stimulus from 10% to 25% were similar in all groups. There were no adverse hemodynamic effects secondary to large doses of vecuronium.