Rocuronium Adult Intravenous Monograph

Who can administer

Administration RESTRICTED - see Appendix 1

Important information

• To be used only in a critical care setting for ventilated patients
• AVOID long-term-ICU use given risk of myopathy (particularly when used with corticosteroids)
• As this is a neuromuscular blocker particular care and attention should be focused on the safe storage and distribution of this drug so as to minimise the risk of right patient WRONG DRUG
• For complete information and guidance refer to the manufacturers SPC
• For Y-site compatibility see below

Available preparations

Rocuronium bromide 50mg in 5ml vials (Bowmed)

Reconstitution

Already in solution

Infusion fluids

Sodium chloride 0.9% or Glucose 5% (if required)

Methods of intravenous administration

Bolus intravenous injection

• Loading dose only - FLUSH lines following administration to protect against inadvertent delayed bolus in unprotected patient

Continuous Intravenous Infusion - not needed for the indications covered in this monograph

• Use undiluted - 500mg in 50ml via a syringe pump - FLUSH lines following administration to protect against inadvertent delayed bolus in unprotected patient

Dose in adults

Rapid Sequence Intubation ^{(ref SPC, 1)}

• Doses of up to 1 to 1.5mg/kg dose may be used for Rapid Sequence Intubation

• To avoid excessive dosage in obese patients, dose should be calculated on the basis of ideal body-weight.

For other indications- see SPC

Further information

Rapid sequence intubation: doses in excess of 1mg/kg are unlicensed

Storage

• Different brands may carry different storage recommendations in the SPC
• The Ibigen Srl brand should be stored in a refrigerator between 2 to 8⁰C. If left outside the fridge at 25⁰C or less reduce expiry to 12 weeks.

References

Ibigen Srl SPC. September 2022

1. "Rocuronium Drug Information". UpToDate- accessed online 16th Jan 2023

Therapeutic classification

Neuromuscular blocker