Vitamin C and post-suxamethonium pains.

A double-blind trial of the effects of vitamin C on the frequency, severity and duration of post-suxamethonium pains was performed. Fifty-three patients undergone bronchoscopy received either a placebo or 10 g of vitamin C. No beneficial effect was demonstrated. In 18 patients no relationship was found between pre-anaesthetic buffy layer vitamin C levels and the subsequent pains. Measurement of buffy layer and plasma vitamin C levels before and after anaesthesia did not suggest that vitamin C deficiency occurs during or immediately after administration of suxamethonium. It is concluded that the administration of vitamin C cannot be recommended as a means for prevention of suxamethonium pains.