FRCA Notes

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

  • The curriculum explicitly asks for knowledge of:
    • Muscle relaxants in general, including the properties of an ideal muscle relaxant
    • Depolarising agents and non-depolarising agents
    • Reversal of neuromuscular blockade
    • Organophosphate poisoning, which is mentioned twice(!)
  • (Re-)Acquaintance with the physiology of the neuromuscular junction is recommended.
  • The ideal neuromuscular blocking agent
  • Depolarising NMBA i.e. suxamethonium
  • Non-depolarising agents (in general)
    • Aminosteroids
      • Rocuronium
      • Vecuronium
      • Pancuronium
    • Benzylisoquinoliniums
      • Atracurium (inc. cis-atracurium)
      • Mivacurium
      • D-Tubocurarine
    • Gallamine
  • Reversal agents
  • Toxins at the NMJ