SSRI effect of succinylcholine

Q: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) tends to? (select one)

A) prolong the effect of succinylcholine
B) reduce the effect of succinylcholine


Answer: A

Succinylcholine is the most commonly used neuromuscular blockade (NMB) for intubation in ICU. A large number of patients admitted to ICU are now chronically on SSRIs. All SSRIs, in particular, fluoxetine and sertraline are inhibitors of cholinesterase in human serum and in the erythrocyte membrane. This tends to prolong the action for succinylcholine. 

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#procedures
#neurology


Reference:

Müller TC, Rocha JB, Morsch VM, et al. Antidepressants inhibit human acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activity. Biochim Biophys Acta 2002; 1587:92.