UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Toxicology

Title: Rocuronium vs Succinylcholine

Keywords: rocuronium, succinylcholine (PubMed Search)

Posted: 2/19/2009 by Fermin Barrueto, MD (Updated: 4/23/2024)
Click here to contact Fermin Barrueto, MD

Rocuronium is fast becoming the agent of choice for RSI in the Emergency Department. Here is a head to head comparison of the two drugs to understand why:

  Rocuronium Succinycholine

Dose

 1-1.2mg/kg

1mg/kg

Onset

1-1.5min

1min

Duration

7-12min

30-40min

Histamine Release

No

Minimal Yes

CVS Effect

Tachycardia rare

Severe Brady rare

Other Adverse Effect

No fasciculations, No ICP effect, No Rhabdo

Fasciculations, increase ICP, rhabdo, movement of displaced Fxs