ACCELERATED RECOVERY AND DISPOSITION FROM ROCURONIUM IN AN END-STAGE RENAL-FAILURE PATIENT ON CHRONIC ANTICONVULSANT THERAPY WITH SODIUM VALPROATE AND PRIMIDONE

An end-stage renal failure patient, receiving chronic treatment with t he anticonvulsants, sodium valproate and primidone, showed accelerated recovery with enhanced elimination (T-1/2(z) = 52 min) and clearance( Cl = 14.4 mi min(-1) kg(-1)) of rocuronium. The pharmacokinetic and ph armacodynamic effects of rocuronium in this patient are compared with those published for healthy and renal failure patients. Increased hepa tic binding of rocuronium rather than metabolism is suggested as the p ossible cause of this effect.