Vecuronium

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic, intermediate-acting mono-quaternary steroid and non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent, with muscle relaxant activity. Vecuronium competitively binds to and blocks the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction, thereby preventing acetylcholine (ACh) binding and resulting in skeletal muscle relaxation and paralysis. Vecuronium has a shorter duration of action than pancuronium.

**Synonyms:** - Piperidinium, 1-((2Beta,3alpha,5alpha,16beta,17beta)-3,17-bis(acetyloxy)-2-(1-piperidinyl)androstan-16-yl)-1-methyl- - VECURONIUM - Vercuronium