Phenytoin reduces suxamethonium-induced myalgia.

Abstract

A prospective, randomised trial was undertaken in 60 healthy adults to determine the efficacy of intravenously administered phenytoin in doses of 5 mg.kg-1 for the prevention of suxamethonium-induced fasciculations, a rise in serum K+ and myalgia. This was compared with tubocurarine pretreatment and no pretreatment (control group). Phenytoin pretreatment significantly reduced myalgia from 45% (nine patients) in the control group to 10% (two patients) (p less than 0.05). It also decreased the duration and mean intensity of fasciculations. Incidentally, phenytoin was also found to decrease significantly mean serum Na+ levels (p less than 0.001) both at 5 and 20 min after administration. Tubocurarine pretreatment (3 mg) resulted in a significant decrease in fasciculations, but myalgia, which occurred in five patients, remained the same. No significant correlation was found between muscle fasciculations, postoperative myalgia and K+ changes, but patients with myalgia had a significant decrease in mean serum Na+ levels at 5 and 20 min after suxamethonium (p less than 0.01).

• Authors: V Hatta, A Saxena, H L Kaul
• Journal: Anaesthesia (Anaesthesia) Vol. 47 Issue 8 Pg. 664-7 (Aug 1992) ISSN: 0003-2409 [Print] England
• PMID: 1519714 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Phenytoin
• Sodium
• Succinylcholine
• Potassium
• Tubocurarine

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Muscles (drug effects)
• Pain, Postoperative (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Phenytoin (therapeutic use)
• Potassium (blood)
• Prospective Studies
• Sodium (blood)
• Succinylcholine (adverse effects, antagonists & inhibitors)
• Tubocurarine (therapeutic use)