neuromuscular blocking agents


neu·ro·mus·cu·lar block·ing a·gents

a group of drugs that prevents motor nerve endings from exciting skeletal muscle. They act either by competing for the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (for example, D-tubocurarine, mivacurium, and pancuronium), or by first stimulating the postjunctional muscle membrane and subsequently desensitizing the muscle endplates to acetylcholine (for example, succinylcholine or decamethonium); used in surgery to produce paralysis and facilitate manipulation of muscles.

neu·ro·mus·cu·lar block·ing a·gents

(nūrō-mŭskyū-lăr bloking ājĕnts) Drugs that prevent motor nerve endings from exciting skeletal muscle.