Pain on injection of rocuronium bromide

Generic rocuronium reduces withdrawal movements compared to original rocuronium under target-controlled infusion induction with propofol

PURPOSE

Rocuronium-induced injection pain often causes withdrawal movements leading to accidental disruption of indwelling needles. Generic rocuronium (Maruishi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Osaka, Japan) with a novel solution has been reported to reduce the injection pain compared to original rocuronium [Esmeron^® (Eslax^®), MSD Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan], however, no reports have compared the injection pain under sedation with propofol, the most frequently used general anesthetic. This study was carried out to compare the injection pain caused by generic rocuronium and that caused by original rocuronium in patients anesthetized by propofol with a target-controlled infusion system.

METHODS

Forty patients were randomly assigned to two groups in this single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind study. One group was administered generic rocuronium after sedation with propofol with a target-controlled infusion system. The other group was administered original rocuronium after anesthesia with propofol. Patient's withdrawal movements were assessed with the scale. The primary outcome was the total incidence of movement after administration of rocuronium. Secondary outcome was the incidence of moderate or severe movement after administration of rocuronium.

RESULTS

The total incidence of movement after administration of generic rocuronium (11%) was significantly lower than that after the administration of original rocuronium (79%) (p < 0.01). The incidence of moderate or severe movement after administration of generic rocuronium (0%) was significantly lower than that after the administration of original rocuronium (53%) (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Generic rocuronium was considered more suitable than the original rocuronium for induction of anesthesia by propofol performed with a target-controlled infusion system.

Reduction of the rocuronium-induced withdrawal reflex by MR13A10A, a generic rocuronium with a novel solution: A randomized, controlled study

Background

Rocuronium induces venous pain and the withdrawal reflex during injection. MR13A10A, generic rocuronium with a novel solution, reduced the injection-induced withdrawal reflex in rodents. We hypothesized that MR13A10A would reduce the frequency and severity of injection-induced withdrawal reflexes compared with original rocuronium during clinical anesthesia induction.

Methods

This prospective, open (but assessor-blinded), randomized, controlled study was conducted at a single academic hospital. The assessor was blinded to the study condition in order to minimize observer bias. Participants were allocated to either MR13A10A or traditional formula groups by a blocked stratified randomization method. Participants in the MR13A10A group received MR13A10A, whereas the original rocuronium group received the same amount of original rocuronium. The primary outcome was presence of the withdrawal reflex after rocuronium injection. Severity of the withdrawal reflex, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, and the train of four (TOF) ratio were measured as secondary outcomes. The withdrawal reflex was assessed using a video recording in a blinded manner.

Results

Of the 149 participants, 76 were allocated to the MR13A10A group and 73 to the original rocuronium group. The frequency of the withdrawal reflex was significantly lower with MR13A10A compared with original rocuronium (19.7% and 54.8% for MR13A10A and original rocuronium groups, respectively, p<0.001). The odds ratio adjusted for cannulation site, cannula size, induction agent and age was 6.27 (95% CI, 2.87, 13.73 p<0.001). Original rocuronium was an independent factor related to a higher post-treatment heart rate. The proportions of TOF ratios = 0 were similar between the two groups.

Conclusion

The frequency and severity of the withdrawal reflex after injection were significantly reduced by using MR13A10A. MR13A10A might contribute to safe and less invasive anesthesia management.

A new rocuronium formulation not causing vascular pain in a flexor reflex model of anesthetized rats

PURPOSE

Intravenous administration of the brand formulation of rocuronium bromide, currently used as a muscle relaxant, has been associated with vascular pain accompanied by withdrawal movements of the arm and wrist. The purpose of this study was to identify the cause of vascular pain induced by the brand formulation and to develop a new rocuronium formulation, not causing vascular pain, using a vascular pain-evoked flexor reflex response model of anesthetized rats.

METHODS

A rat flexor reflex model, monitored by electromyography, was used to evaluate a flexor reflex response as the index of vascular pain. A catheter for drug administration was inserted into the superficial caudal epigastric artery. A needle electrode was inserted into a muscle in the femoral area to obtain an electromyogram (EMG) value. The integrated EMG values obtained after the administration of each test drug were compared to the baseline value and quantified.

RESULTS

The acetate buffer contained in the solvent could cause flexor reflex response. Furthermore, the flexor reflex response increased in an acid concentration-dependent manner. Based on these results, we prepared a new rocuronium formulation using a low-acid-concentration buffer solution and found that it decreased the integrated EMG value in the rat model. The integrated EMG value acquired using the brand formulation was reduced by pretreatment with the TRPA1 channel inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the high acid concentration in the brand formulation buffer solution is the cause of vascular pain. The rocuronium formulation developed using a low-acid-concentration buffer solution might help eliminate vascular pain in the clinic.

A comparison of granisetron and nitroglycerine for attenuating rocuronium pain: A double-blinded randomized, placebo controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The incidence of pain reported in literature after IV administration of rocuronium is 50-80%. The aim of our study was to determine whether pre-treatment with intravenous granisetron and nitroglycerine would reduce rocuronium-induced pain.

METHODS

One hundred fifty patients of either sex, aged 18-65 years, American society of Anaesthesiologist grading (ASA) I-II, scheduled for various surgeries under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of the groups. Group G: received 2 granisetron (1mg/ml) diluted with 3 ml of 0.9% normal saline) while the Group C: received 5 ml of 0.9% normal saline. Group N: received 200΅g of nitroglycerine diluted to a total of 5 ml(with 0.9% normal saline). It was accompanied by manual venous occlusion for 20 seconds. Then 0.06mg/kg of rocuronium was injected through same cannula over 10-15 sec. Patients were asked by a blinded investigator to score the pain on injection of rocuronium using visual analogue scale (0-10) with 0-no pain,1-3 mild pain, 4-6 moderate and >=7 severe pain. At the same time discomfort in the form of patient's movement, such as no movement (grade 0), movement only wrist (grade 1), movement to the upper arm and shoulder of injected arm (grade 2) or generalized movements (grade3) was observed. Statistical analysis using independent t test, Mann-Whitney test and reverse ANOVA was done.

RESULTS

1. At 0 seconds, in group G number of patients who experienced withdrawl score of 0-1 were 92%,group N were 82% while only 26% of patients in group C had favourable withdrawl score.74% of patients in group C had score of 2-3 at same time. 2. At 0 sec, in group G number of patients who experienced VAS score of 0-3 were 96%, group N 72%. At same time Group C 48 % of patients had VAS score of 2-3.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that pre-treatment with granisetron or nitroglycerine both are highly effective in attenuation of rocuronium induced pain.

Pharmacological prevention of rocuronium-induced injection pain or withdrawal movements: a meta-analysis

Rocuronium is reported to be associated with injection pain or withdrawal movement (IPWM). This meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of different pharmacological treatments used to decrease the incidence of the rocuronium-induced IPWM. We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase and PubMed for randomized controlled trials comparing a pharmacological drug with a placebo to prevent the rocuronium-induced IPWM and found 37 studies with 5,595 patients. Overall incidence of rocuronium-induced IPWM was 74%. Pretreatment with opioids [risk ratio (RR) 0.16; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.09-0.29], lidocaine (0.47; 0.35-0.64), and ketamine (0.41; 0.22-0.77) were effective in decreasing IPWM. Lidocaine pretreatment with venous occlusion (0.40; 0.32-0.49) and opioids pretreatment with venous occlusion (0.77; 0.61-0.96) were also effective. Mixing sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) with rocuronium (0.15; 0.06-0.34) was also efficacious in reducing IPWM. Indirect comparison shows that the RR of NaHCO3 admixture and pretreatment with opioids were lower than that of the other four interventions (pretreatments of ketamine or lidocaine, and lidocaine or opioids with venous occlusion). This meta-analysis suggests that opioids, lidocaine, ketamine, and NaHCO3 are effective in decreasing rocuronium-induced IPWM. Considering the efficacy and convenience, pretreatment with opioids without venous occlusion is recommended for reducing rocuronium-induced IPWM.

Local warming at injection site helps alleviate pain after rocuronium administration

PURPOSE

Various strategies have been proposed to reduce discomfort of pain after rocuronium injection. These studies have shown pretreatment of drugs such as fentanyl and lidocaine to be effective. In a prospective randomized study, we evaluated whether pretreatment with local warming at injection site using an air-warming device could effectively alleviate pain induced by rocuronium.

METHODS

Ninety patients undergoing spinal surgeries were randomly divided into two groups: group C (control) and group T (treatment). Patients in group T were subjected to warming at 40°C for 1 min prior to injecting 1 ml (10 mg) of rocuronium at the site of venous access. Patients were then assessed for any discomfort and to quantify their discomfort on a 5-point scale.

RESULTS

Age, sex, and weight were comparable between the two groups. Pain on rocuronium administration was reported by 88.9% patient in group C versus 66.7% in group T (p < 0.05). Severe pain was significantly less in group T (35.6% vs. 8.9%).

CONCLUSION

Application of warmth over the vascular access prior to rocuronium administration effectively reduces injection-related pain.

Superficial venous thrombophlebitis caused by rocuronium

Pain is one of the major disadvantages of rocuronium, which is used during induction of anesthesia. Even at subparalyzing doses, 50-100% of patients complain of intense pain. Sudden flexion and withdrawal movement in the wrist or arm have been reported following rocuronium use in many papers. No information about risk factors leading to this withdrawal movement or pain on injection is available and whether this reaction leads to erythema or to venous sequelae (i.e. thrombosis and thrombophlebitis) has not been systematically investigated. However, in both of our cases, visible reactions occurred and both patients were diagnosed with venous superficial thrombophlebitis. Therefore, we believe that rocuronium-related pain may, in part, be because of direct venous injury.

The influence of age and gender on remifentanil EC(50) for preventing rocuronium induced withdrawal movements

Background

Rocuronium-induced withdrawal movements can be harmful to patients during the induction period. Remifentanil has been reported to reduce these movements effectively. In this study, we determined the EC₅₀ of remifentanil for the prevention of rocuronium induced withdrawal movements in male, female, old and child group.

Methods

We included patients scheduled for general anesthesia and assigned them into 4 groups depending on their age and gender: male group (20-60 yr), female group (20-60 yr), old group (>65 yr) and child group (6-12 yr). Remifentanil was administered by target controlled infusion. Propofol 2 mg/kg was then administered after equilibration between the effect and plasma concentration of remifentanil was reached. After loss of consciousness, rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg was administered. Patient's response to the rocuronium was graded using a 4 point scale in a blinded manner. The EC₅₀ of remifentanil for preventing rocuronium induced withdrawal movements was determined using Dixon's up-and -down method.

Results

The EC₅₀ of remifentanil for preventing rocuronium induced withdrawal movements was 1.8 ± 0.5 ng/ml [95% confidence interval 1.3-2.2] in the male group, 2.3 ± 1.0 ng/ml [1.3-3.2] in the female group, 0.5 ± 0.4 ng/ml [0.2-0.8] in the old group and 2.8 ± 0.8 ng/ml [2.1-3.5] in the child group.

Conclusions

The EC₅₀ of remifentanil for preventing rocuronium induced withdrawal movements was lowest in the elderly and higher in children than male adult patients. No difference in the EC₅₀ of remifentanil was seen between male and female adult patients.

The effect of pretreatment with thiopental on reducing pain induced by rocuronium injection

We examined whether pretreatment with a small dose of thiopental was effective in reducing pain induced by the intravenous injection of rocuronium. Withdrawal movement was used to assess pain reduction. Ninety patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: patients in the control group were pretreated with 2 mL saline, and those in the thiopental group were pretreated with 2 mL (50 mg) thiopental. Thiopental 5 mg/kg was injected intravenously. After a loss of consciousness, the upper arm was compressed with a rubber tourniquet, and the pretreatment drugs were administered. Thirty seconds later the tourniquet was removed and 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium was administered. Withdrawal movement was assessed using a four-grade scale: no movement, movement limited to the wrist, to the elbow or to the shoulder. The frequency of withdrawal movement in the group pretreated with thiopental was lower than in the control group (34 vs. 13, p < 0.05). We concluded that pretreatment with 2 mL (50 mg) thiopental is effective in reducing pain caused by the intravenous injection of rocuronium.

Dilution of rocuronium to 0.5 mg/mL with 0.9% NaCl eliminates the pain during intravenous injection in awake patients

In a randomized, double-blinded, controlled study, we evaluated the effect of diluting rocuronium 10 mg/mL to 1 or 0.5 mg/mL with 0.9% NaCl on the pain associated with IV administration of rocuronium with small doses given before succinylcholine or nondepolarizing agent administration. One hundred fifty patients undergoing surgical procedures that required general anesthesia were randomized into three groups. Group 1 received rocuronium 10 mg/mL. Groups 2 and 3 received 1 and 0.5 mg/mL of rocuronium, respectively. Patient demographics, pain scores, osmolality, and the pH of the solutions were recorded. Group 1 had the most intense and frequent pain response. Eighty percent of patients in this group reported pain on injection. In Group 2, the incidence and intensity of pain were significantly less when compared with those of Group 1. In this group, 38% of patients reported pain during injection. In Group 3, none of the patients experienced pain on injection. The pH values and osmolalities of study solutions were not significantly different among groups. In conclusion, in awake patients, dilution of rocuronium 10 mg/mL at small doses given before succinylcholine or nondepolarizing agent administration of 0.06 mg/kg to 0.5 mg/mL with 0.9% NaCl is a simple and cost-effective strategy for preventing pain during IV rocuronium injection.