SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE
Succinylcholine chloride helps both adult and pediatric patients achieve skeletal muscle relaxation while undergoing general anesthesia. It is commonly used to assist with tracheal intubation and to manage patients requiring mechanical ventilation or surgery. This medication acts as an adjunct to anesthesia, ensuring the body remains still during these medical procedures.
How SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE Works
This drug works by binding to cholinergic receptors at the motor end plate, mimicking the action of acetylcholine to produce depolarization. This process initially causes muscle twitching followed by a rapid onset of flaccid paralysis that progresses from the face to the respiratory muscles. By inhibiting neuromuscular transmission, it prevents muscle movement as long as the drug remains at the receptor site.
Details
- Status
- Discontinued
- First Approved
- 1972-09-20
- Patent Cliff
- 2041
- Routes
- INJECTION, INTRAMUSCULAR, INTRAVENOUS
- Dosage Forms
- INJECTABLE, SOLUTION
Companies
SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE Approval History
What SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE Treats
3 indicationsSUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE is approved for 3 conditions since its original approval in 1972. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.
- Tracheal intubation
- Skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery
- Mechanical ventilation
SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE Boxed Warning
BOXED WARNING WARNING: VENTRICULAR DYSRHYTHMIAS, CARDIAC ARREST, AND DEATH FROM HYPERKALEMIC RHABDOMYOLYSIS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS Acute rhabdomyolysis with hyperkalemia followed by ventricular dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and death has occurred after the administration of succinylcholine to apparently healthy pediatric patients who were subsequently found to have undiagnosed skeletal muscle myopathy, most frequently Duchenne muscular dystrophy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. When a heal...
BOXED WARNING WARNING: VENTRICULAR DYSRHYTHMIAS, CARDIAC ARREST, AND DEATH FROM HYPERKALEMIC RHABDOMYOLYSIS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS Acute rhabdomyolysis with hyperkalemia followed by ventricular dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and death has occurred after the administration of succinylcholine to apparently healthy pediatric patients who were subsequently found to have undiagnosed skeletal muscle myopathy, most frequently Duchenne muscular dystrophy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. When a healthy appearing pediatric patient develops cardiac arrest within minutes after administration of succinylcholine chloride, not felt to be due to inadequate ventilation, oxygenation or anesthetic overdose, immediate treatment for hyperkalemia should be instituted. In the presence of signs of malignant hyperthermia, appropriate treatment should be instituted concurrently [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Reserve the use of succinylcholine chloride in pediatric patients for emergency intubation or instances where immediate securing of the airway is necessary, e.g., laryngospasm, difficult airway, full stomach, or for intramuscular use when a suitable vein is inaccessible [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . WARNING: VENTRICULAR DYSRHYTHMIAS, CARDIAC ARREST, AND DEATH FROM HYPERKALEMIC RHABDOMYOLYSIS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning . Acute rhabdomyolysis with hyperkalemia followed by ventricular dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and death has occurred after use in apparently healthy pediatric patients who were subsequently found to have undiagnosed skeletal muscle myopathy. ( 5.1 ) When a healthy-appearing pediatric patient develops cardiac arrest soon after administration of succinylcholine chloride, not felt to be due to other causes, immediate treatment for hyperkalemia should be instituted. In the presence of signs of malignant hyperthermia, appropriate treatment should be instituted concurrently. ( 5.1 ) Reserve use of s
SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE Competitive Set
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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.
Drugs Similar to SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE
3 of 4FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.
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Trial Timeline
Full development history with FDA approval milestones
Understanding FDA Approval Types
| Count | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| - | ORIG | Original approval - drug first enters market |
| - | SUPPL - Efficacy | New indication (new disease/condition approved) |
| - | SUPPL - Labeling | Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates) |
| - | SUPPL - Manufacturing | Production changes (new facility) |
| - | SUPPL - Chemistry | Formulation changes (new dosage strength) |
Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.
SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE FDA Label Details
Indications & Usage
FDA Label (PDF)SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE is indicated for the treatment of Tracheal intubation; Skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery; Mechanical ventilation.
BOXED WARNING WARNING: VENTRICULAR DYSRHYTHMIAS, CARDIAC ARREST, AND DEATH FROM HYPERKALEMIC RHABDOMYOLYSIS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS Acute rhabdomyolysis with hyperkalemia followed by ventricular dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and death has occurred after the administration of succinylcholine to apparen...
SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE Patents & Exclusivity
Patents (1 active)
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Revenue Insights
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Patent Timeline
- • Cliff: 2041
- • 1 active patents
Trial Analysis
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Competitive Landscape
- • 4 similar drugs
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Data Sources
Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.