Tubocurarine

Tubocurarine (also known as d-tubocurarine or dTc) is a toxic alkaloid historically known for its use as an arrow poison. In the mid-20th century, it was used in conjunction with anesthetics to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation. It is now rarely used as a neuromuscular blocking agent, due to the introduction of newer drugs with fewer side effects and shorter duration of action.

History

Tubocurarine was first isolated from the South American vine Chondrodendron tomentosum in 1897 by scientists Richard Martin Willstätter and Arthur Stoll. It was introduced into anesthesiology in the early 1940s as a muscle relaxant for surgery.

Pharmacology

Tubocurarine acts as a competitive antagonist at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, blocking the action of acetylcholine and causing muscle relaxation. It has a slow onset and long duration of action, and can cause significant histamine release, which can lead to hypotension.

Clinical use

Tubocurarine was used in anesthesiology to provide muscle relaxation during surgery and mechanical ventilation. However, its use has largely been replaced by newer neuromuscular blocking agents, such as rocuronium and vecuronium, which have fewer side effects and a shorter duration of action.

Side effects

The most common side effect of tubocurarine is hypotension, due to histamine release. Other side effects can include bronchospasm, increased salivation, and rash.

See also

• Neuromuscular-blocking drug
• Curare

Tubocurarine Resources
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