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Vecuronium bromide
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<p>Vecuronium bromide, sold under the brand name Norcuron among others, is a medication used as part of <a href="/facts/General_anesthesia/bv3Yzcz7">general anesthesia</a> to provide <a href="/facts/Skeletal_muscle_relaxation/9jtlSa90">skeletal muscle relaxation</a> during <a href="/facts/Surgery/fG8tWf5Y">surgery</a> or <a href="/facts/Mechanical_ventilation/XSQ84JX9">mechanical ventilation</a>. It is also used to help with <a href="/facts/Endotracheal_intubation/5kw0TNxc">endotracheal intubation</a>; however, agents such as <a href="/facts/Suxamethonium/LgaWdMuy">suxamethonium</a> (succinylcholine) or <a href="/facts/Rocuronium/U1u9Urer">rocuronium</a> are generally preferred if this needs to be done quickly. It is given by <a href="/facts/Intravenous/AwwuD3Nu">injection into a vein</a>. Effects are greatest at about 4 minutes and last for up to an hour. </p><p>Side effects may include <a href="/facts/Low_blood_pressure/BhrdVVRS">low blood pressure</a> and prolonged <a href="/facts/Paralysis/Sh1Rqr8R">paralysis</a>. <a href="/facts/Allergic_reactions/dYAVosh8">Allergic reactions</a> are rare. It is unclear if use in <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a> is safe for the baby. </p><p>Vecuronium is in the <a href="/facts/Aminosteroid/9Wo2UCK2">aminosteroid</a> <a href="/facts/Neuromuscular-blocker/2GaKMjp7">neuromuscular-blocker</a> family of medications and is of the <a href="/facts/Non-depolarizing/2GaKMjp7">non-depolarizing</a> type. It works by <a href="/facts/Receptor_antagonist/PuXHVNdV">competitively blocking</a> the action of <a href="/facts/Acetylcholine/v1d3wRUd">acetylcholine</a> on <a href="/facts/Skeletal_muscles/en1tVYFN">skeletal muscles</a>. The effects may be reversed with <a href="/facts/Sugammadex/tjo9HUfg">sugammadex</a> or a combination of <a href="/facts/Neostigmine/6yggmHfS">neostigmine</a> and <a href="/facts/Glycopyrrolate/YkaxVuuJ">glycopyrrolate</a>. To minimize residual blockade, reversal should only be attempted if some degree of spontaneous recovery has been achieved. </p><p>Vecuronium was approved for medical use in the United States in 1984 and is available as a <a href="/facts/Generic_medication/IF6AXDVX">generic medication</a>. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. </p>