Vecuronium induced neuromuscular blockade. The effect of increasing dose on speed of onset

The speed of onset of neuromuscular blockade was measured for increasing doses of vecuronium. Onset times were found to be shorter with larger doses, up to a limit of ED95 X 3 (0.15 mg/kg). Thereafter, increasing the dose, even up to ED95 X 8 (0.4 mg/kg), did not appreciably shorten the time to full neuromuscular blockade. The clinical implications of, and pharmacokinetic basis for, these findings are discussed.