Abstract

Fazadinium bromide (Fazadon - Duncan, Flockhart) is a new non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking agent which is intended for both tracheal intubation at the start of surgery and muscular relaxation during the operation. The only available quick-acting drugs, suxamethonium (Anectine; Brevidil M), and suxethonium (Brevidil E) are depolarising agents whose effect cannot be reversed with anticholinesterases; they also occasionally have troublesome unwanted effects, which are well summarised in textbooks. Suxamethonium is used mainly to facilitate endotracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, electro-convulsive therapy and short-lasting surgical or orthopaedic procedures requiring relaxation. Its rapid breakdown prevents persistent block. Longer-acting non-depolarising drugs like tubocurarine, gallamine and pancuronium are used to produce relaxation during surgery.