Rapacuronium

Rapacuronium (Org 9487; ED90 = 1 mg x kg(-1)) is a new, low potency, short-acting, non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent. An intubating dose of 1.5xED90 or 1.5 mg x kg(-1) of rapacuronium offers acceptable intubating conditions within 60-90 s in most patients. A complete block from this dose can be reversed immediately with satisfactory recovery in 12-16 min. Side-effects are dose-related and are mainly haemodynamic, i.e. an increase in heart rate and a decrease in blood pressure.