Pedi: Products containing benzyl alcohol should be avoided in neonates.
Use Cautiously in:
Dehydration or electrolyte abnormalities (should be corrected)
Situations in which histamine release would be problematic
Fractures or muscle spasm
Hyperthermia (↑ duration/intensity of paralysis)
Shock
Extensive burns (may be more resistant to effects)
Low plasma pseudocholinesterase levels (may be seen in association with anemia, dehydration, cholinesterase inhibitors/insecticides, severe liver disease, pregnancy, or hereditary predisposition)
Obese patients
OB: Lactation: Safety not established (use only if benefit outweighs potential risk to fetus)
Pedi: Children <1 mo (safety and effectiveness not established).
Exercise Extreme Caution in:
Neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis (small test dose may be used to assess response).
Intensity and duration of paralysis may be prolonged by pretreatment with succinylcholine, general anesthesia (inhalation), aminoglycosides, vancomycin, tetracyclines, polymyxin B, colistin, clindamycin, lidocaine, and other local anesthetics, lithium, quinidine, procainamide, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, potassium-losing diuretics, or magnesium.
Higher infusion rates may be required and duration of action may be shortened in patients receiving long-term carbamazepine or phenytoin.
IV (Adults and Children >2 yr): 0.4–0.5 mg/kg initially (0.25–0.35 mg/kg if administered after steady-state anesthesia with enflurane or isoflurane or 0.3–0.4 mg/kg following succinylcholine); may then repeat with 0.08–0.1 mg/kg 20–45 min after initial dose as needed, or by continuous infusion at 5–9 mcg/kg/min.
IV (Neonates , Infants, and Children 1 mo–2 yr): 0.3–0.4 mg/kg initially followed by maintenance doses of 0.3–0.4 mg/kg as needed.
Assess respiratory status continuously throughout therapy with atracurium. Use only to facilitate intubation or in patients already intubated.
Monitor neuromuscular response with a peripheral nerve stimulator intraoperatively. Paralysis is initially selective and usually occurs sequentially in the following muscles: levator muscles of eyelids, muscles of mastication, limb muscles, abdominal muscles, muscles of the glottis, intercostal muscles, and the diaphragm. Recovery of muscle function usually occurs in reverse order.
Monitor ECG, heart rate, and BP throughout administration.
Observe the patient for residual muscle weakness and respiratory distress during the recovery period.
Monitor infusion site frequently. If signs of tissue irritation or extravasation occur, discontinue and restart in another vein.
Toxicity and Overdose:
If overdose occurs, use peripheral nerve stimulator to determine the degree of neuromuscular blockade. Maintain airway patency and ventilation until recovery of normal respirations occurs.
Administration of anticholinesterase agents (neostigmine, pyridostigmine) may be used to antagonize the action of atracurium once the patient has demonstrated some spontaneous recovery from neuromuscular block. Atropine is usually administered prior to or concurrently with anticholinesterase agents to counteract the muscarinic effects.
Administration of fluids and vasopressors may be necessary to treat severe hypotension or shock.
High Alert: Unplanned administration of a neuromuscular blocking agent instead of administration of the intended medication or administration of a neuromuscular blocking agent in the absence of ventilatory support has resulted in serious harm and death. Confusing similarities in packaging and insufficiently controlled access to these medications are often implicated in these medication errors.
Dose is titrated to patient response.
Atracurium has no effect on consciousness or pain threshold. Adequate anesthesia/analgesia should always be used when neuromuscular blocking agents are used as an adjunct to surgical procedures or when painful procedures are performed. Benzodiazepines and/or analgesics should be administered concurrently when prolonged neuromuscular blocker therapy is used for ventilator patients, because patient is awake and able to feel all sensations.
If eyes remain open throughout prolonged administration, protect corneas with artificial tears.
Store atracurium in refrigerator.
Most neuromuscular blocking agents are incompatible with barbiturates and sodium bicarbonate. Do not admix.