It is a nondepolarizing medium-term muscle relaxant and works by curarimimetic action - the competitive antagonism with acetylcholine of the autonomic cholinergic receptors. Wtih the correct intravenous dosage the effects last around 45 minutes and it is used with general anaesthesia[?] in surgery for muscle relaxation and as an aid to intubation or ventilation. It does not have sedative[?] or analgesic effects.
Side effects include moderately raised heart rate[?] and thereby arterial pressure[?] and cardiac output, excessive salivation[?], apnea and respiratory depression[?], rashes[?], flushing and sweating[?]. The muscular relaxation can be dangerous in the seriously ill and it can accumulate leading to extended weakness.
Its empirical formula is:
Its structural name is 3α, 17β - diacetoxy - 5α - androstan - 2β, 16β - ylene bis [1 - methylpiperidinium] dibromide
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