Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi-Dose
What the medication is used for:
- Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose is used for providing muscle relaxation during surgery, or during other medical procedures. Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose is only used in conjunction with an anesthetic.
What it does:
Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose belongs to a group of medicines called neuromuscular blockers. It works by blocking the effects of acetylcholine, a chemical involved in muscle contraction. This relaxes muscles in the body before surgery or insertion of a breathing tube.
When it should not be used:
Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose should not be used in neonates (infants less than 1 month of age), low birth weight infants. Cisatracurium is not indicated for children less than 2 years old. Before surgery, be sure to tell all consulting physicians if you:
- are allergic to cisatracurium besylate;
- are allergic to any bis-benzylisoquinolinium agents;
are allergic to benzyl alcohol;
What the medicinal ingredient is:
cisatracurium besylate
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose also contains benzenesulfonic acid, benzyl alcohol and water for injection.
What dosage forms it comes in:
Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose is available as an injection in 10 mL multiple-dose vials of 2 mg/mL cisatracurium (as cisatracurium besylate).
BEFORE you use Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:
- You have difficulty with intubations
- You are susceptible to malignant hyperthermia
- You have kidney or liver problems
You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- You are taking any prescription or non-prescription medications or herbal medicines
- You are allergic to cisatracurium besylate, other medications or substances (e.g., benzyl alcohol)
- You have muscle weakness or partial paralysis on one side of the body or partial paralysis affecting the lower limbs (eg, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, myasthenia gravis)
- You have an electrolyte disturbance or acid-base imbalance or tissue wasting, or are debilitated
- You have had a burn injury requiring medical treatment
Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose contains benzyl alcohol, which could be lethal to neonates (infants less than 1 month of age), low birth weight infants. Cisatracurium is not indicated for children less than 2 years old.
Drugs that may interact with Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose include:
- succinylcholine
- inhalation anesthetics (e.g., isoflurane, enflurane)
- anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine)
- antibiotics (e.g., aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, bacitracin, polymyxins, lincomycin)
- anti-arrhythmics (e.g., procainamide and quinidine)
- lithium and magnesium salts
- local anesthetics
Usual dose:
Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose is a medicine that is given by injection. Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose will be administered by an anaesthetist or other trained professional, during surgery or other medical procedures. The dosage will vary according to many factors such as body weight, age and the duration of the procedure. It will be given to you once you are anesthetised (lost all awareness) for your
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Page 33 of 33 IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
surgery or procedure.
Overdose:
Like all medicines, Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose can cause uncommon side effects which include flushing, skin rashes, feeling agitated, increased cough, nausea, and vomiting.
After exposure to Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose, you should contact your physician or anesthesia professional if you have any of the side effects listed in the table below.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
| Symptoms / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||||||
| Common | Allergic Reactions | √ | |||||
| √ | ||||||
| √ | ||||||
| √ | ||||||
| √ | ||||||
| √ | ||||||
| Chills | √ | ||||||
| Difficulty Breathing/Choking | √ | ||||||
| Dizziness | √ | ||||||
| Elevated Blood Glucose | √ | ||||||
| High Blood Pressure | √ | ||||||
| Jaundice/Yellowing of the Eyeballs | √ | ||||||
| Low Blood Pressure | √ | ||||||
| Rapid Heartbeat | √ | ||||||
| Seizures/Seizure-like activity | √ | ||||||
| Severe Itching | √ | ||||||
| Slow Heartbeat | √ | ||||||
| Sudden fever with stiffness, pain and weakness in muscles | √ | ||||||
| Wheezing | √ | ||||||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose should be stored under refrigeration (2°C to 8°C) and protected from light to preserve potency. PROTECT FROM FREEZING.
If removed from refrigeration to room temperature storage (25°C), Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose must be used within 21 days, even if re-refrigerated.
If you want more information about Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi-Dose:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Consumer Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); or by calling 1-800-656-0793.
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Last revised: MAY 23, 2025
- Overdoses of Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose lead to prolonged relaxation of the body’s muscles. This can be readily treated, however, this situation is unlikely to occur because Cisatracurium Besylate Injection, USP Multi–Dose is only administered by an anaesthetist or other trained doctor who will closely monitor your progress.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
HOW TO STORE
MORE INFORMATION
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.