Clinical pharmacology of rapacuronium bromide, a new short-acting neuromuscular blocking agent

Rapacuronium is a new steroidal, nondepolarizing, neuromuscular blocking ag ent. It appears to be the least potent of all available nondepolarizing mus cle relaxants. Its onset of action resembles that of succinylcholine, and i ts recovery times are shorter than those of other nondepolarizing agents. T he clinical duration of rapacuronium can be shortened significantly with ea rly (2 min) administration of neostigmine, which may be beneficial in patie nts with difficult airway or failed intubation. Rapacuronium appears to be free of significant cardiovascular complications.