MedicinehospitalEssential

Succinyl Choline

A fast-acting muscle relaxant injection used during anaesthesia and breathing-tube insertion.

Clinical information

Common uses

adjunct to general anaesthesia
helping insert a breathing tube
muscle relaxation during surgery or ventilation

Common side effects

slow or fast heart rate
low or high blood pressure
heart rhythm disturbances

Cautions

boxed warning: cardiac arrest in children with undiagnosed muscle disease
can trigger malignant hyperthermia
dangerous high potassium after burns or major trauma
severe allergic reactions can occur

Interactions

promazine, oxytocin, quinidine, beta-blockers, lidocaine — enhance its effect
lithium and magnesium salts — enhance its effect
drugs that reduce plasma cholinesterase activity

Pregnancy: no harm identified over decades of use; commonly used in caesareans

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, Anectine (succinylcholine chloride) label, setid 04a4e6f5-6fa1-42e1-a3f9-21fca7786b15 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations1

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Succinyl Choline	Parenteral ( Injection )	50mg/ml	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital