[Role of vecuronium in comparison with curariform drugs used in man].

Vecuronium, a new non-depolarizing muscle relaxant, was more powerful than d-tubocurarine, gallamine and alcuronium. Its muscle blocking effect was similar to that of pancuronium. It had a smaller distribution volume and a quicker elimination half-life than the other non-depolarizing muscle blocking drugs. The time of onset and duration of action, as well as the time for recovery were also shorter, being 3-5 min, 17-22 min and 25 min respectively. The accumulation of vecuronium in the body was low; increasing the dose increases the duration of action, but not the recovery time. No adverse effect has been reported as yet. Compared with suxamethonium, a depolarizing muscle relaxant, it had a longer time of onset and duration of action. Vecuronium cannot therefore replace suxamethonium for endotracheal intubation.