depolarising muscle relaxants
Last reviewed 01/2018
The depolarising muscular relaxants act by mimicking acetylcholine. They bind to the postsynaptic receptor at the neuromuscular junction and cause a prolonged opening of ion channels due to a slow rate of dissociation. The postsynaptic membrane is thus briefly depolarised before becoming refractory to further stimulation.
The only drug of clinical value in this group is suxamethonium.