Definition
decamethonium
noun
- A synthetic chemical compound used as a muscle relaxant in anesthesia; a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent.
Usage: medical/pharmaceutical; also known as decamethonium bromide; largely historical; largely replaced by newer agents in modern practice
Examples
- Decamethonium was used during surgery to paralyze muscles and facilitate intubation.
- The anesthesiologist administered decamethonium to relax the patient's skeletal muscles.
- Decamethonium acts by mimicking acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.
- Modern anesthesia has largely replaced decamethonium with safer alternatives.