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Metubine iodide: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Metubine iodide - General Information

Metocurine iodide is a benzylisoquinolinium competitive nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent. It is used as an anesthesia adjunct to induce skeletal muscle relaxation and to reduce the intensity of muscle contractions in convulsive therapy Metocurine iodide has a moderate risk of inducing histamine release and has some ganglion blocking activity. Metocurine iodide can be used most advantageously if muscle twitch response to peripheral nerve stimulation is monitored to assess degree of muscle relaxation.

 

Pharmacology of Metubine iodide

Metocurine iodide is a benzylisoquinolinium competitive nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent. Metocurine iodide has a moderate risk of inducing histamine release and has some ganglion blocking activity. Metocurine iodide can be used most advantageously if muscle twitch response to peripheral nerve stimulation is monitored to assess degree of muscle relaxation. As with other nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers, the time to onset of paralysis decreases and the duration of maximum effect increases with increasing doses of metocurine iodide. Repeated administration of maintenance doses of metocurine iodide has no cumulative effect on the duration of neuromuscular block if recovery is allowed to begin prior to repeat dosing. Moreover, the time needed to recover from repeat doses does not change with additional doses. Repeat doses can therefore be administered at relatively regular intervals with predictable results.

 

Additional information about Metubine iodide

Metubine iodide Indication

For use as an anesthesia adjunct to induce skeletal muscle relaxation and to reduce the intensity of muscle contractions in convulsive therapy.

Mechanism Of Action
Metocurine iodide antagonizes the neurotransmitter action of acetylcholine by binding competitively with cholinergic receptor sites on the motor end-plate. This antagonism is inhibited, and neuromuscular block reversed, by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as neostigmine, edrophonium, and pyridostigmine.
Generic Name
Metocurine Iodide
Synonyms
(+)-O,O'-Dimethylchondrocurarine Di-iodide; Dimethyl Tubocurarine Iodide; Dimethyltubocurarine Iodide; Dimetiltubocurarinio, ioduro de; Metocurini Iodidum; Metokuriinijodidi; Metokurinjodid; Trimethyltubocurarine Iodide
Drug Category
Anesthetics, Local; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Metocurine Iodide
Metubine; Metubine iodide; Mutubine Iodide;
Toxicity (Overdose)
Excessive doses can be expected to produce enhanced pharmacological effects. Overdosage may increase the risk of histamine release and cardiovascular effects, especially hypotension.
Protein Binding
35% in plasma
Half Life
3 to 4 hours
Chemical IUPAC Name
6,6',7',12'-Tetramethoxy-2,2,2',2'-tetramethyltubocuraranium diiodide
Chemical Formula
C40H48I2N2O6
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals