Dantrolene (RYANODEX) is an intravenous nanosuspension of dantrolene sodium used as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent to treat malignant hyperthermia (MH) – a life-threatening condition triggered by succinylcholine and halogenated volatile anesthetic gases creating sustained skeletal muscle contraction due to a defect in the release/reuptake of calcium. Dantrolene works by inhibiting calcium-induced calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum/T-tubule network leading to skeletal muscle relaxation.
Compared to traditional dantrolene formulations, a vial of RYANODEX contains 250 mg of dantrolene (pictured) and requires only 5 cc of sterile water to reconstitute. Traditional vials contain ~ 20 mg of dantrolene per vial, and each requires > 50 cc of sterile water to constitute. In addition, the initial dose of dantrolene for MH is 2.5 mg/kg, so we’re saving a tremendous amount of time using RYANODEX… especially in an emergency like MH.
Although I have never encountered MH, having it on my radar as an anesthesiologist and intensivist is incredibly important as this condition is lethal without proper diagnosis and treatment!
Drop me a comment below with questions! 🙂
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