Pipecuronium (Arduan) is a bisquaternary aminosteroid

muscle relaxant A muscle relaxant is a drug that affects skeletal muscle function and decreases the muscle tone. It may be used to alleviate symptoms such as muscle spasms, pain, and hyperreflexia. The term "muscle relaxant" is used to refer to two major therapeu ...

which blocks

nicotinic acetylcholine receptors Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, or nAChRs, are receptor polypeptides that respond to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Nicotinic receptors also respond to drugs such as the agonist nicotine. They are found in the central and peripheral ner ...

at the

neuromuscular junction A neuromuscular junction (or myoneural junction) is a chemical synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber. It allows the motor neuron to transmit a signal to the muscle fiber, causing muscle contraction. Muscles require innervation to ...

. It is also an antagonist of M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors and is the most potent neuromuscular blocking agent of the aminosteroid class. It is sold under the trade names Arduan and Pycuron.

References

Muscle relaxants Quaternary ammonium compounds Piperazines Acetate esters Bromides Nicotinic antagonists Androstanes {{musculoskeletal-drug-stub

See also

References