Imagine that you are scheduled to have a major surgery. At such a time, the anaesthetists will relax your muscles and prepare you so that the surgery can be performed easily. At such times, that is, during surgery or when you are connected to a ventilator, there is a special class of drugs that are given to temporarily relax your muscles. The one we are talking about today is Mivacurium.
What exactly is Mivacurium?
Simply put, Mivacurium is a skeletal muscle relaxant . It is given as an injection. When you are having surgery, your muscles need to be relaxed enough so that the surgeon can do their job without any problems. That is what the Mivacurium injection does.
Also, in some severe respiratory conditions, the patient has to be connected to a breathing machine (ventilator). This drug is used to keep the patient's muscles relaxed during that time. It is usually found under the brand name Mivacron.
Things you need to tell your doctor before giving this medicine
Even though this is a medication that is given in a hospital, under the supervision of specialist doctors, it is extremely important that the medical team is aware of certain conditions in your body. Because that information will determine the dosage of the medication you are given, and how you are monitored.
Remember, don't hide anything from your doctor. Even the smallest piece of information you provide can be very important for your safety.
If you have any of the conditions in the table below, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Kidney or liver disease | These organs are responsible for removing drugs from the body. If their function is impaired, there is a risk of the drug remaining in the body for too long. |
| Heart disease | Mivacurium can slightly lower blood pressure, so it may affect people with heart disease differently. |
| Lung or breathing disease, like asthma | This medication can sometimes affect the respiratory system, so it's important to be aware of this beforehand. |
| Neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis | People with these conditions may be hypersensitive to muscle relaxants, so even a very small dose may be sufficient. |
| Dehydration or imbalances in calcium, potassium, or magnesium levels in the blood | The electrolyte balance in the body directly affects the effectiveness of this medication. |
| Large areas of burned skin | Burn patients may respond differently to these types of medications. |
| Being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | In such a situation, the doctor is particularly concerned about the possible impact on the mother and child. |
| Having an allergy to Mivacurium or any other medicine or food | If you have had a previous allergy, disclosing it can help prevent a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). |
How to use this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can take home. Mivacurium is given intravenously in a hospital or clinic by a trained healthcare professional. Your anesthesiologist or intensive care unit doctor will assess your condition, determine the right dose, and give you the medicine. While you are being given this medicine, your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing will be closely monitored by the medical team.
Do you use this for children?
Yes. Even for children over 2 years of age, this medicine can be prescribed in selected cases. However, special precautions must be followed. This will be decided by the pediatrician and the anesthesiologist.
What if the medication dose increases?
Since this is administered in a hospital, under medical supervision, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, if there is any suspicion that something like this has happened, the medical team will take the necessary steps immediately. Usually, in such a case, they will call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice, or they will immediately start the necessary treatment at the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
Other drugs that may interact with Mivacurium
Mivacurium may interact with other medications you are taking. Therefore, you should inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, including those prescribed by your doctor, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, vitamins, and supplements.
The following are some of the drugs that may interact with Mivacurium:
- Some antibiotics: For example, drugs like amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, tetracyclines, and clindamycin.
- General anesthetics: Anesthetic gases such as enflurane, isoflurane, and halothane.
- Medications for epilepsy: medications like carbamazepine and phenytoin.
- Medicines for heart disease: Medicines like quinidine and procainamide.
- Medications for mental illness: Lithium, and MAOIs.
- Local anesthetics: Drugs used to numb the area, such as lidocaine and tetracaine.
- Other muscle relaxants
- Steroids: Drugs like prednisone and cortisone.
- Medicines containing magnesium .
- Birth control pills
This list is not complete, so for your safety, it's best to tell your doctor about everything you're taking.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
As with any medication, Mivacurium can cause some side effects. Most of these are identified and managed by the medical team while the medication is being administered.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to medical staff immediately | |
| Severe allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Breathing problems | Difficulty breathing, chest tightness. (This can be detected quickly because you are being monitored). |
| Symptoms of low blood pressure | Dizziness, weakness, extreme fatigue. |
| Symptoms of muscle injury | Dark urine, difficulty urinating, severe muscle pain, back pain. |
| Facial flushing | Sudden facial redness and feeling hot. |
| Things that are usually not dangerous, but should be reported if they persist | |
| Muscle pain or weakness | Feeling pain or weakness in the muscles even after the effects of the medication wear off. |
| Pain at the injection site | Redness, pain, or swelling along the vein where the injection was given. |
Take-Home Message
- Mivacurium is an injection that is given to temporarily relax muscles during surgery and in patients who are on ventilators.
- Before receiving this vaccine, it is imperative to inform your doctor about all your medical conditions, medications you are taking, and allergies.
- This is a medicine that is only given in a hospital by a trained medical team, so you don't have to store or use it at home.
- You don't need to worry about possible side effects because your condition will be monitored closely while you are taking the medication. But it's important to be aware of them.
- If you have any further questions about this medication, don't hesitate to ask your doctor.
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