Have you ever had to undergo surgery? Or have you seen someone you know undergo surgery? In such cases, the anesthesiologists give you special drugs that completely relax your body's muscles to make the surgery easier. After the surgery is over, another special drug is used to reverse the effects of the drugs and bring you back to normal. Sugammadex is one such drug. Today, we will talk about this in a little more detail and simply.
What is Sugammadex?
Simply put, Sugammadex is a drug that 'reverses' the effects of certain drugs (specifically rocuronium and vecuronium ) that relax your muscles during surgery. More specifically, it helps your muscles recover more quickly after surgery. The most common brand name for this drug is Bridion.
The most important things to tell the doctor before giving this medicine
It is very important that the anesthesiologist and other medical team are fully aware of your health before giving you this medicine. Therefore, be sure to tell them if you have any of the following conditions:
- Bleeding disorders: If you have any bleeding disorders.
- Kidney disease: This is very important because this medicine is mainly eliminated from the body through the kidneys. So if there is any weakness in the kidneys, the doctor should be aware of it.
- Slow heartbeat: If your heart rate is lower than normal.
- Allergies: Tell us if you have any allergies, not just to Sugammadex, but to any other medicine, food, dye, or preservative.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a nursing mother .
It is very important for your safety to provide this information to the doctor without hiding it.
How do you use this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can take home. It is only given in a hospital or clinic. A doctor or trained nurse will give it to you as an intravenous injection.
Even for young children, that is, children over 2 years old, this medicine is given in some special cases. But it is done under special precautions and only under medical supervision.
What if the dosage of the medicine increases? (Overdosage)
Since this is given in a hospital, the chance of an 'overdose', that is, an overdose of the medicine, is very low. However, if there is any suspicion that such a thing has happened, the medical staff should be informed immediately. Generally, in Sri Lanka, if there is any suspicion of poisoning, we seek advice from the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Also, in any emergency, the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) should be consulted.
What other things can interact with this medicine?
Sugammadex can interact with some other medications, meaning it can interfere with their effectiveness. This can change the way those medications work.
Of these , the most important and important thing to pay attention to is birth control methods.
If you are a woman using hormonal birth control, such as birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections, the effectiveness of that birth control may be reduced after taking Sugammadex. Therefore, you should definitely use an additional, non-hormonal form of birth control, such as condoms, for 7 days after taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about this.
Additionally, other medications, such as toremifene, may interact with this medication. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Sugammadex can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some of these may require immediate medical attention, while others are usually not serious. Let's look at these in a table.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor/nurse immediately | |
| Severe allergic reaction | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Decreased blood pressure or slowed heartbeat | Difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, feeling dizzy, unusual tiredness. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Anxious | Feeling anxious and restless for no reason. |
| Headache | Headache. |
| Muscle pain | Muscle pain in the body. |
| Nausea and vomiting | Stomach upset, vomiting. |
| Stomach pain | Abdominal pain. |
| Pain where the injection was given | Pain around the vein where the medicine was injected. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything different, talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Sugammadex is a special injection given after surgery to reverse the effects of muscle relaxants.
- This medicine is only given in a hospital, under medical supervision.
- Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions (especially kidney disease) and allergies before prescribing the medication.
- If you are using hormonal birth control, it is essential to use an additional form of birth control, such as condoms, for 7 days after taking Sugammadex.
- If you experience any serious side effects, such as severe allergic reactions or difficulty breathing, notify the medical staff immediately.
- If you have any further questions about this medication, don't hesitate to ask your doctor.
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