Intradermal histamine release by 3 muscle relaxants

The induration and redness caused by intradermal injections of equipotent doses of atracurium, vecuronium and d-tubocurarine were measured in six healthy, male volunteers. Atracurium and d-tubocurarine were almost indistinguishable in their reactions. Vecuronium caused a significantly smaller response than both atracurium and d-tubocurarine. We therefore suggest that of these three drugs, vecuronium may cause the least histamine release and is, perhaps, the drug of choice in patients with a history of asthma or allergy.