Atracurium

The Basics

What is Atracurium?

Used as an adjunct to general anaesthesia or sedation.

Brand names for Atracurium

Tracrium

How Atracurium is classified

Muscle Relaxants, Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents

Atracurium During Pregnancy

Atracurium pregnancy category

Category C

Note that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Atracurium while pregnant

TRACRIUM (atracurium besylate) has been shown to be potentially teratogenic in rabbits when given in doses up to approximately one half the human dose. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. TRACRIUM (atracurium besylate) should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. TRACRIUM (atracurium besylate) was administered subcutaneously on days 6 through 18 of gestation to nonventilated Dutch rabbits. Treatment groups were given either 0.15 mg/kg once daily or 0.10 mg/kg twice daily. Lethal respiratory distress occurred in two 0.15-mg/kg animals and in one 0.10-mg/kg animal, with transient respiratory distress or other evidence of neuromuscular block occurring in 10 of 19 and in 4 of 20 of the 0.15-mg/ kg and 0.10-mg/kg animals, respectively. There was an increased incidence of certain spontaneously occurring visceral and skeletal anomalies or variations in one or both treated groups when compared to nontreated controls. The percentage of male fetuses was lower (41% versus 51%) and the post-implantation losses were increased (15% versus 8%) in the group given 0.15 mg/kg once daily when compared to the controls; the mean numbers of implants (6.5 versus 4.4) and normal live fetuses (5.4 versus 3.8) were greater in this group when compared to the control group.

Taking Atracurium While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Atracurium?

No information is available on the use of atracurium during breastfeeding. Because it is short acting, highly polar and poorly absorbed orally, it is not likely to reach the breastmilk in high concentration or to reach the bloodstream of the infant.[1][2] When a combination of anesthetic agents is used for a procedure, follow the recommendations for the most problematic medication used during the procedure.

Maternal / infant drug levels

No information is available on the use of atracurium during breastfeeding. Because it is short acting, highly polar and poorly absorbed orally, it is not likely to reach the breastmilk in high concentration or to reach the bloodstream of the infant.[1][2] When a combination of anesthetic agents is used for a procedure, follow the recommendations for the most problematic medication used during the procedure.

Possible effects of Atracurium on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Atracurium

Cisatracurium, Rocuronium.