cisatracurium besilate at a glance
Medicine class
Intermediate-duration non-depolarising neuromuscular blocker
Main roles
Muscle relaxation during procedures, tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation
Administration
Intravenous injection or infusion by appropriately trained clinicians
Important limitation
Causes paralysis but does not provide unconsciousness or pain relief
What is cisatracurium besilate used for?
Licensed uses represented by the selected product include:
As an adjunct to general anaesthesia during surgical or other procedures in adults and children aged 1 month and over.
Relaxing skeletal muscles to facilitate placement of a breathing tube and mechanical ventilation.
Muscle relaxation alongside sedation in adult intensive-care patients.
How does cisatracurium besilate work?
It competes with acetylcholine where motor nerves meet skeletal muscle. This temporarily blocks nerve-to-muscle transmission, causing paralysis until the effect wears off or is reversed.
cisatracurium besilate preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 2 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL
How to take cisatracurium besilate
It is not self-administered. A trained clinician gives it into a vein as an injection or infusion, with facilities available to support breathing and oxygenation.
For intravenous use only.
Food does not affect administration.
Neuromuscular function is monitored so administration can be individualised.
cisatracurium besilate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Slower heart rate
- Low blood pressure
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including anaphylactic shock
- Bronchospasm causing wheezing or breathing difficulty
- Prolonged paralysis or inadequate recovery of breathing
- Marked or persistent muscle weakness, particularly after prolonged intensive-care treatment
cisatracurium besilate in pregnancy
Adequate human pregnancy data are unavailable, and the selected product advises against use during pregnancy. If anaesthesia or ventilation is necessary, anaesthetic and obstetric teams should assess the clinical need and alternatives.
cisatracurium besilate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether cisatracurium or its metabolites enter human milk. The selected product advises pausing breastfeeding during treatment and until its effects have worn off. Specialist advice is appropriate for premature or unwell infants and complex medicine combinations.
cisatracurium besilate interactions
Several medicines can alter the depth or duration of neuromuscular blockade. The anaesthetic team should review all prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products.
Volatile anaesthetics and ketamine
May increase or prolong neuromuscular blockade.
Aminoglycosides, polymyxins, tetracyclines, lincomycin or clindamycin
May strengthen or prolong paralysis.
Antiarrhythmics, beta blockers and calcium-channel blockers
May increase blockade or contribute to cardiovascular effects.
Common questions about cisatracurium besilate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is cisatracurium besilate an anaesthetic?
No. It paralyses skeletal muscles but does not cause unconsciousness or relieve pain, so appropriate anaesthesia or sedation is required.
Can cisatracurium besilate stop breathing?
It paralyses respiratory and other skeletal muscles. Ventilation and oxygenation support must be available until adequate breathing returns.
Can children receive cisatracurium besilate?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.