Neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine antagonism of lincomycin-pancuronium neuromuscular blockade in man.

Seven anesthetized patients were studied to determine the interaction between pancuronium and lincomycin and the ability of neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine to antagonize the block. Lincomycin 600 mg given IV alone did not decrease twitch tension. An 8 to 10% decrease in twitch tension occurred when lincomycin was given after neostigmine antagonism of pancuronium. Lincomycin augmented a partial pancuronium neuromuscular blockade. The combined lincomycin-pancuronium neuromuscular blockade was effectively antagonized by both neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine although the latter produced a slower rate of antagonism. The authros conclude that lincomycin, 600 mg IV, augments a pancuronium neurovascular blockade. 4-Aminopyridine offers no advantage over neostigmine and, in fact, may offer a disadvantage because of a slower rate of antagonism.