SOME EFFECTS OF THE STEROIDAL MUSCLE RELAXANT, DACURONIUM BROMIDE, IN ANAESTHETIZED PATIENTS

The neuromuscular blocking properties of a new steroidal drug,dacuronium bromide, were investigated in twenty-three anaesthetizedpatients. Dacuronium produced a competitive type of neuromuscularblock with a potency of approximately one-tenth that of tubocurarineand one-fiftieth that of pancuronium. When compared with thesedrugs its maximal action was apparent earlier and the recoveryfrom its effects was somewhat quicker. One patient showed thesyndrome of the return of block after apparent adequate antagonismby neostigmine. Its actions in anaesthetized patients are discussedand compared with its actions in animals.