Antagonism of pancuronium and its metabolites by neostigmine in cats

Antagonism by neostigmine of neuromuscular blockade produced by pancuronium or its metabolites was studied in the cat anterior or tibialis muscle-peroneal nerve preparation using constant infusions of muscle relaxants. The ED50 of neostigmine (dose which caused a 50% antagonism) was 16, 11, 29, and 26 micrograms/kg for pancuronium, 3-hydroxypancuronium, 17-hydroxypancuronium, and 3, 17-hydroxypancuronium, respectively. Times of onset of neostigmine action were shorter when antagonizing 17-hydroxypancuronium neuromuscular blockade. Duration of neostigmine action when antagonizing 17- or 3, 17-hydroxypancuronium blockade was shorter than with pancuronium or 3-hydroxypancuronium. We conclude that more neostigmine is required to antagonize 17- or 3,17-hydroxypancuronium neuromuscular blockade than is required to antagonize pancuronium. Conversely, less neostigmine was required to antagonize 3-hydroxypancuronium blockade.