Succinylcholine and Metoclopramide Injection: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Metoclopramide Injection
Succinylcholine
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Prolonged neuromuscular blockade
Interaction Deep Dive
In patients given succinylcholine, the recovery time with concurrent administration of metoclopramide is greater than when succinylcholine is given alone. If both drugs are required it should be noted that metoclopramide given prior to succinylcholine can result in prolonged paralysis1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of cholinesterase
Common questions
Can I take Succinylcholine and Metoclopramide Injection together?
Prolonged neuromuscular blockade Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Succinylcholine and Metoclopramide Injection interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "rapid". Effects can appear quickly, often within about 24 hours of combining the drugs.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Succinylcholine or Metoclopramide Injection need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (1)
- Kao YJ & Turner DR: Prolongation of succinylcholine block by metoclopramide. Anesthesiology 1989; 70:905-908. PubMed
Keep reading about Metoclopramide Injection
Keep reading about Succinylcholine
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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