Atracurium

Atracurium belongs to a group of medicines called muscle relaxants. It is used along with general anesthesia or sedatives to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgical procedures. It is also used to facilitate emergency airway management in patients in intensive care.

Atracurium is generally administered by a healthcare professional. You should not self-administer this medicine at home. The dose and duration will depend on what you are taking it for and how well it helps your symptoms.

The most common side effects of this medicine include skin flush, skin redness, and itching. It may also cause pain, redness, and swelling at the site of injection. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, you should let your doctor know. Your doctor may be able to suggest ways of preventing or reducing the symptoms.

Before using it, you should let your doctor know if you have any medical conditions or disorders. You should also tell your doctor all the other medicines you are using or taking. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctors before using this medicine.

• Skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery

Skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery
Atracurium is used to relax muscles during anesthesia and surgical procedures. It works by blocking chemical messengers in the brain that are responsible for rigidity, inflammation or swelling. It effectively relieves muscle stiffness or spasm, thereby improving muscle movement.

It is given as an injection by a doctor or nurse and should not be self- administered. The dose and duration will be decided by the doctor depending on the condition you are being treated for. This will help you to go about your daily activities more easily and have a better, more active, quality of life.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Crimat

• Itching
• Skin rash
• Erythema (skin redness)
• Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Atracurium relaxes the muscles by blocking the impulses from the nerves.

• Atracurium is given as an injection by the healthcare professional.

• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.

• You may get pain, itching, redness or discomfort at the site of the injection. Inform your doctor if it does not go away or bothers you.

• It is advisable to avoid driving or machinery work for a period of 24 hours after taking this medicine.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 107-108.

Sciencedirect. Atracurium. [Accessed 02 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:

Drugs.com. Atracurium. [Accessed 02 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from: