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Gallamine


Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Gallamine triethiodide (Flaxedil) is a non-depolarising muscle relaxant.[1] It acts by combining with the cholinergic receptor sites in muscle and competitively blocking the transmitter action of acetylcholine.[2] Gallamine triethiodide has a parasympatholytic effect on the cardiac vagus nerve which causes tachycardia[3][4] and occasionally hypertension. Very high doses cause histamine release.

Gallamine triethiodide is commonly used to stabilize muscle contractions during surgical procedures.

It was developed by Daniel Bovet in 1947.[5]


The pharmaceutical is no longer marketed in the United States, according to the FDA Orange Book.

References

  1. “Webster’s Online Dictionary – Flaxedil”. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  2. “RxMed: Pharmaceutical Information – FLAXEDIL”. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  3. Morgenstern C, Splith G (October 1965). “[Studies on the causes of gallamine tachycardia and its antagonistic modification by beta adrenolytics]”. Der Anaesthesist (in German). 14 (10): 298–301. PMID 4380161. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  4. WALTS LF (1963). “Ventricular tachycardia with gallamine and cyclopropane anesthesia”. Anesthesiology. 24: 119. doi:10.1097/00000542-196301000-00024. PMID 13998750. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
  5. Raghavendra T (July 2002). “Neuromuscular blocking drugs: discovery and development”. J R Soc Med. 95 (7): 363–7. doi:10.1258/jrsm.95.7.363. PMC 1279945. PMID 12091515.

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