1. What vecuronium bromide for injection is and what it is used for

Vecuronium bromide for injection is one of a group of drugs called muscle relaxants.

Muscle relaxants are used during an operation as part of a general anaesthetic. When you have an

operation your muscles must be completely relaxed. This makes it easier for the surgeon to perform the operation.

2. Before vecuronium bromide for injection is given

You should not receive vecuronium bromide for injection

if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to vecuronium, the bromide ion or any of the other ingredients of vecuronium bromide for injection

Tell your anaesthetist if this applies to you.

Take special care with vecuronium bromide for injection

Your anaesthetist needs to know before you receive this medicine:

if you are allergic to muscle relaxants

if you have had kidney, heart, liver or gall bladder disease

if you have had diseases affecting nerves and muscles

if you have fluid retention (oedema).

Other medicines and vecuronium bromide for injection

Tell your anaesthetist if you are

taking other medicines or have recently taken them. This includes

medicines or herbal products that you have bought without a prescription.

vecuronium bromide for injection may affect other medicines or be affected by them.

Pregnancy and breast feeding

Tell your anaesthetist if you are pregnant or might be pregnant, or if you are breast feeding.

Driving and using machines

Do not drive or use machines until advised it is safe to do so. Because vecuronium bromide for injection is given as part of a general anaesthetic, you may feel tired, weak or dizzy for some time afterwards. Your anaesthetist will be able to advise you on how long the effects are likely to last.

3. How Norcuron is given

The dose

Vecuronium bromide for injection can be used in adults and children of all ages. Your anaesthetist will work out the dose of vecuronium bromide for injection you need based on:

the type of anaesthetic

the expected length of the operation

other drugs you are taking

your state of health

your age

The normal dose is 80-100 micrograms per kg body weight and the effect will last 24-60 minutes.

During the procedure it will be checked whether vecuronium bromide for injection is still working. You may be given additional doses if they are needed.

How vecuronium bromide for injection is given

Vecuronium bromide for injection will be given to you by your anaesthetist. Vecuronium bromide for injection is given intravenously (into a vein), either as single injections or as a continuous infusion (a drip).

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Vecuronium bromide for injection can cause side effects, but not everybody gets them. If these side effects occur while you are under anaesthetic, they will be seen and treated by your anaesthetist.

5. How Vecuronium bromide for injection is stored

The hospital will keep Vecuronium bromide for injection according to the correct storage conditions.