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Mivacurium

S Feldman1

  • 1Department of Anaesthetics, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.

British Journal of Hospital Medicine
|March 5, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Mivacurium, a muscle relaxant, is hydrolyzed by plasma cholinesterase like suxamethonium. Despite a slower onset and longer duration, it offers a shorter action than other non-depolarizing drugs at clinical doses.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Neuromuscular Blockade

Background:

  • Mivacurium is a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant introduced in 1988.
  • It shares pharmacokinetic similarities with suxamethonium, including hydrolysis by plasma cholinesterase.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of mivacurium with suxamethonium and other non-depolarizing muscle relaxants.
  • To evaluate the clinical duration of action of mivacurium at standard doses.

Main Methods:

  • Pharmacokinetic analysis of mivacurium.
  • Comparison of onset and duration of action with suxamethonium and other non-depolarizing agents.
  • Clinical dose-response studies.

Main Results:

  • Mivacurium is hydrolyzed by plasma cholinesterase.
  • It exhibits a slower onset and longer duration of action compared to suxamethonium.
  • However, at clinically relevant doses, mivacurium's duration is shorter than alternative non-depolarizing muscle relaxants.

Conclusions:

  • Mivacurium offers a unique profile among non-depolarizing muscle relaxants.
  • Its intermediate duration of action makes it a useful alternative in certain clinical settings.
  • Plasma cholinesterase activity is a key determinant of mivacurium's duration.

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