Rocuronium bromide and organ function

Neuromuscular blocking drugs can be divided into those that are: (i) excreted entirely by the kidney; (ii) predominantly by the kidney but also by the liver; (iii) mainly by the liver but also by the kidney or; (iv) removed by other metabolic pathways. Rocuronium is mainly excreted by the liver and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in humans suggest that its duration of action may be prolonged to a greater extent in patients with hepatic disease than in patients with renal disease. The effect is likely to be modest and not a contra-indication to its use.