Antiarrhythmias,diuretics

enhance neuromuscular blockade. Additive muscle paralysis by antibiotics (aminoglycosides,clindamycin, lincomycin, tetracycline, polymexin). Neostigmine endrophonium antagonise neuromuscular blockade.

Anaesthetics lithium,and magnesium potentiate blockade. Action antagonised by corticosteroids (seen in long term therapy). Increase incidence of arrhythmias with cardiac glycosides.

Adjunct to anaesthesia to induce skeletal muscle relaxation.

Anaphylactic reactions(rare).

Tachycardia. Rise in B.P. Slight fall or rise in heart rate. Reduction in G.I. motility. Wheal-and-flare effect at the site of injection,flushing, Occasional bronchospasm.

Obstertics prior to delivery.

Myasthenia gravis (except diagnosis).

Depressed respiration. Special precautions: Renal/hepatic dysfunction, pulmonary disease, neuromuscular disorders.

Indications:

Adjunct to anaethesia to induce skeletal muscle relaxation.

Dosage:

For IV use only. Initia- individualise dosage. Preferably administer as soon as the patient is unconscious and before attempting incubation. Initial dose is 1mg/kg. Never inject more than 100mg at any one time, regardless of the weight of the patient.

Pharmacology:

Gallamine produces a nonpolarizing blockade of neuromuscular transmission in skeletal muscles and competes with acetylchloine at the cholinesterase receptors of the motor endplate. By preventing acetylchloine -induced changes in permeability and electric potential, neuromuscular transmission is inhibited.

Pharmacokinetics:

Action commences immediately after the IV injection, duration is dose dependent. Gallamine is excreted unchanged by the kidneys.

Not applicable