The Sound of Evolution
Succinylcholine
Mechanism of action:
Succinylcholine is a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent (depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent) and an acetylcholine analog (acetylcholine analog). Succinylcholine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the motor end-plate and mimics the action of acetylcholine, causing depolarization. However, succinylcholine is not rapidly broken down by acetylcholinesterase in the synaptic cleft, so the motor end-plate remains in a depolarized state for a prolonged period, resulting in flaccid paralysis.
Reference(s):
1. Jonsson M et al. (2006). Activation and inhibition of human muscular and neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by succinylcholine. Anesthesiology.
2. Alvarellos ML et al. (2015). PharmGKB summary: succinylcholine pathway, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics. Pharmacogenet Genomics.
3. Kato M et al. (1999). Comparison between in vivo and in vitro pharmacokinetics of succinylcholine in humans. J Anesth.