Vecuronium
Brand names: Norcuron
Vecuronium is an intermediate-acting non-depolarising aminosteroid neuromuscular blocking agent used to provide muscle relaxation during anaesthesia and to facilitate tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation.
ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.
Clinical monograph
How it works
It competitively antagonises acetylcholine at nicotinic receptors of the neuromuscular junction, preventing depolarisation and producing skeletal muscle paralysis.
Prescribing in practice
- Causes complete respiratory paralysis, so must only be used where facilities for intubation and controlled ventilation are immediately available and by clinicians experienced in airway management.
- Block is potentiated by aminoglycosides, magnesium and volatile anaesthetics, and is prolonged in hepatic or renal impairment.
- Provides no sedation or analgesia, so adequate anaesthesia must be ensured to avoid awareness during paralysis.
Monitoring
Use peripheral nerve stimulation to monitor the depth of neuromuscular block and to guide dosing and confirm recovery before extubation.
Counselling the patient
- This is given by an anaesthetist as part of general anaesthesia.
- Ensure adequate sedation and analgesia are maintained while the patient is paralysed.
Evidence & guidelines
Vecuronium is an established neuromuscular blocker used routinely in anaesthetic practice as described in the SPC.
Reference: Miller's Anaesthesia 9th Ed; AAGBI Guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.