ATRACURIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Atracurium is a neuromuscular-blocking drug commonly used during surgical procedures to induce muscle relaxation. It belongs to a class of drugs known as nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers, which work by blocking the action of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thereby preventing muscle contraction.
Atracurium is administered intravenously and its effects are reversible through the administration of cholinesterase inhibitors, such as neostigmine. The drug is primarily used to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery, facilitating endotracheal intubation, reducing the patient's movements, and improving surgical access.
The effects of atracurium usually occur within a few minutes after administration and last for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, making it an ideal choice for short to intermediate surgical procedures. It is metabolized in the body by the process of Hoffman elimination, which does not depend on renal or hepatic function. Therefore, atracurium is well-suited for patients with compromised renal or hepatic systems.
As with any medication, there are potential side effects associated with atracurium. Common side effects may include flushing, hypotension, tachycardia, bronchospasm, and allergic reactions. Care should be taken when administering atracurium to patients with a history of allergies or asthma. Additionally, caution is advised when using atracurium in patients with myasthenia gravis or other neuromuscular disorders.
Overall, atracurium is a valuable drug in the field of anesthesia and surgery, providing controlled muscle relaxation and facilitating surgical procedures, with the ability to be safely eliminated from the body without relying on intact renal or hepatic function.
Common Misspellings for ATRACURIUM
- ztracurium
- stracurium
- wtracurium
- qtracurium
- arracurium
- afracurium
- agracurium
- ayracurium
- a6racurium
- a5racurium
- ateacurium
- atdacurium
- atfacurium
- attacurium
- at5acurium
- at4acurium
- atrzcurium
- atrscurium
- atrwcurium
- atrqcurium
Etymology of ATRACURIUM
The word "Atracurium" has its etymology rooted in the chemical structure of the compound. It is derived from the chemical name of the drug, which consists of the prefix "atrac-" and the suffix "-urium".
The prefix "atrac-" refers to the acyclic structure of the molecule, which consists of a long chain of carbon atoms. This part of the name signifies the absence of a cyclic structure in the compound.
The suffix "-urium" is commonly used in pharmacology to indicate a type of drug known as a neuromuscular blocking agent or a skeletal muscle relaxant. These drugs work by binding to receptors at the neuromuscular junction, preventing the transmission of nerve impulses and causing muscle relaxation. The use of the suffix "-urium" in the name of Atracurium classifies it as a member of this group of drugs.
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