Some effects of the steroidal muscle relaxant, dacuronium bromide, in anaesthetized patients.

SUMMARY The neuromuscular blocking properties of a new steroidal drug, dacuronium bromide, were investigated in twenty-three anaesthetized patients. Dacuronium produced a competitive type of neuromuscular block with a potency of approximately one-tenth that of tubocurarine and one-fiftieth that of pancuronium. When compared with these drugs its maximal action was apparent earlier and the recovery from its effects was somewhat quicker. One patient showed the syndrome of the return of block after apparent adequate antagonism by neostigmine. Its actions in anaesthetized patients are discussed and compared with its actions in animals.