Pronunciation: roe-kyoor-OH-nee-um
Generic Name: Rocuronium
Brand Name: Zemuron
Rocuronium is used for:
Relaxing muscles during surgery and mechanical breathing.
Rocuronium is a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocker. It works by blocking nerve impulses to the muscles, resulting in temporary muscle paralysis.
Do NOT use Rocuronium if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Rocuronium
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Rocuronium:
Some medical conditions may interact with Rocuronium. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have liver or kidney problems, an acid-base imbalance, an electrolyte disturbance, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, myasthenia gravis, cachexia (weight loss), high blood pressure, or heart problems, or you are debilitated
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Rocuronium. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin), clindamycin, cyclosporine, general inhalation anesthetics (eg, halothane), ketamine, lithium, local anesthetics (eg, lidocaine), magnesium salts, polypeptide antibiotic (eg, polymyxin B), procainamide, quinidine, quinine derivatives (eg, quinine), thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), trimethaphan, or verapamil because the actions of Rocuronium may be increased, causing severe muscle relaxation progressing to paralysis and breathing problems
- Carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), theophyllines, or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the effectiveness of Rocuronium may be decreased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Rocuronium may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Rocuronium:
Use Rocuronium as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Rocuronium is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have about Rocuronium.
- If you miss a dose of Rocuronium, contact your doctor immediately.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Rocuronium.
Important safety information:
- Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Rocuronium. Using Rocuronium alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
- Use Rocuronium with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Rocuronium during pregnancy. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Rocuronium, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Rocuronium:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. When used in small doses, no COMMON side effects have been reported with this product. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fast or irregular heartbeat.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Rocuronium side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Rocuronium:
Rocuronium is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Rocuronium at home, store Rocuronium as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Rocuronium out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Rocuronium, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Rocuronium is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Rocuronium. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Rocuronium resources
- Rocuronium Side Effects (in more detail)
- Rocuronium Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Rocuronium Drug Interactions
- Rocuronium Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Rocuronium - Add your own review/rating
- Rocuronium Prescribing Information (FDA)
- rocuronium Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
- Rocuronium Bromide Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Zemuron Prescribing Information (FDA)
Compare Rocuronium with other medications
- Anesthesia
