FDA approves first surgery drug antidote.
+ Technology/Innovation
Jamie Barrand | Dec 17, 2015

FDA approves antidote for muscle relaxants used in breathing tube insertion

The first antidote for neuromuscular blocking drugs used in surgery has been approved by the FDA.

Bridion (sugammadex), which is delivered via injection, reverses the effects of rocuronium bromide and vecuronium bromide, which are muscle relaxants used to paralyze the vocals cords so a breathing tube can be inserted during surgery.

"Bridion provides a new treatment option that may help patients recover sooner from medications used for intubation or ventilation during surgery,” Dr. Sharon Hertz, a director at FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said. “This drug enables medical personnel to reverse the effects of neuromuscular blocking drugs and restore spontaneous breathing after surgery.”

Bridion was tested in three clinical trials on 456 participants. Most of the participants who received Bridion recovered within five minutes of receiving the drug, which was faster than patients who did not.

Bridion was also tested to see if it produced allergic reactions: one of 299 participants in the trial had an allergic reaction.

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