Suxamethonium (succinylcholine) chloride and muscle pains

Abstract

When suxamethonium is used as a short-acting muscle relaxant for out-patient procedures it is followed next day in a large proportion of cases by muscle pains and stiffness, the severity of which is out of proportion to that of the minor operation. These pains commonly persist for two to three days. The incidence in patients confined to bed is low. The abolition of the fascicular twitching-a notable feature after the injection of suxamethonium-reduced the incidence and severity of the muscle pains. The value of suxamethonium as a short-acting muscle relaxant is briefly discussed. © 1954, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.