Neuromuscular
The most frequent adverse reaction to nondepolarizing blocking agents as a class consists of an extension of drug's pharmacological action beyond the time period needed. This may vary from skeletal muscle weakness to profound and prolonged skeletal muscle paralysis resulting in respiratory insufficiency or apnea.
Inadequate reversal of the neuromuscular blockade is possible with PAVULON® (pancuronium bromide injection) as with all curariform drugs. These adverse experiences are managed by manual or mechanical ventilation until recovery is judged adequate.
Prolonged paralysis and/or skeletal muscle weakness have been reported after long-term use to support mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit.
Cardiovascular
See discussion of circulatory effects in CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY.
Gastrointestinal
Salivation is sometimes noted during very light anesthesia, especially if no anticholinergic premedication is used.
Skin
An occasional transient rash is noted accompanying the use of PAVULON® (pancuronium bromide injection) .
Other
Although histamine release is not a characteristic action of PAVULON® (pancuronium bromide injection) , rare hypersensitivity reactions such as bronchospasm, flushing, redness, hypotension, tachycardia, and other reactions possibly mediated by histamine release have been reported.
Post-Marketing
There have been post-marketing reports of severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions) associated with the use of neuromuscular blocking agents, including PAVULON® (pancuronium bromide injection) . These reactions, in some cases, have been life-threatening and fatal. Because these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS).