Comparative evaluation of neuromuscular blockade and reversibility of AH 8165 and pancuronium bromide in man.

The neuromuscular properties of AH 8165 were compared to those of pancuronium bromide in 66 patients during analgesic anesthesia procedures. Administration of 0.5 mg/kg AH 8165 and 0.04 mg/kg pancuronium bromide produced very similar degrees of non-depolarizing block. AH 8165 acted quicker and therefore gave better conditions for intubation. Spontaneous recovery of muscle twitch tension was slightly shorter for AH 8165 than for pancuronium bromide, whether small or larger amounts of drugs were used. Administration of neostigmine caused rapid and complete return of muscle twitch tension, well-maintained tetanus and insignificant posttetanic potentiation within 20 minutes, with a similar efficiency of competitive neuromuscular block reversal for both drugs.