Sugammadex in clinical practice

Abstract

The availability of sugammadex allows greater flexibility in the use of rocuronium and vecuronium during anaesthesia and surgery. The neuromuscular block induced by both drugs can be reversed from both superficial and deep levels of block by adjusting the dose of sugammadex. The dose of sugammadex for reversal of shallow block produced by these neuromuscular blocking drugs is approximately 2 mg.kg(-1) and for deep block the dose is 4 mg.kg(-1). A larger dose of sugammadex (16 mg.kg(-1)) administered 3 min after the neuromuscular blocking drug allows rapid reversal of a neuromuscular block induced by 1-1.2 mg.kg(-1) of rocuronium, thereby raising the possibility of using rocuronium as a replacement for suxamethonium. The use of sugammadex has not been reported to be associated with recurrence of block provided a dose that is adequate for reversal has been used. Sugammadex appears to have an acceptable safety profile. There are no requirements for dose adjustment for age or the use of potent volatile anaesthetic agents.