Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs?

Neuromuscular blocking drugs are medications that are used to block nerve signals from reaching the muscles, effectively inhibiting muscle contraction. They are commonly used in medical and surgical settings for a variety of reasons, including helping with intubation and airway management, controlling seizures, providing general anesthesia during surgery, and providing skeletal muscle relaxation during certain procedures.Neuromuscular blocking drugs work by binding to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor on the post-synaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction. This prevents the release of acetylcholine from that junction which is necessary for muscle contraction to occur. These drugs have been in use since the 1950s but their mechanisms remain poorly understood.They can be classified into two main groups – depolarizing agents and non-depolarizing agents – depending on how they bind to their receptors. Depolarizing agents such as succinylcholine cause an initial period of muscular paralysis followed by complete flaccid paralysis which can be reversed by administering anticholinesterase drugs such as neostigmine or edrophonium chloride. Non-depolarizing agents cause a more gradual onset of paralysis which lasts longer than depolarizing agents but can also be reversed using anticholinesterase drugs if necessary. The most common side effects associated with neuromuscular blocking drugs include hypotension (low blood pressure), bradycardia (slow heart rate), nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression (decreased breathing) and allergic reactions such as rash or hives. Other rare but serious side effects include malignant hyperthermia (abnormally high body temperature) and anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction).When used correctly under medical supervision neuromuscular blocking drugs can provide valuable help in managing medical conditions or aiding with surgical procedures but they may carry risks even when administered correctly so should always be prescribed carefully according to patient needs.