paralytic

Paralytic is an adjective describing paralysis and, as a noun, can refer to a person affected by paralysis or to a drug that induces paralysis.

Medical paralytics are neuromuscular blockers that prevent transmission of signals at the neuromuscular junction, producing flaccid paralysis of skeletal muscles.

These agents are primarily used during anesthesia or critical care to facilitate endotracheal intubation and provide controlled ventilation, requiring concurrent analgesia and hypnosis.

Neuromuscular blockers are divided into two main classes: depolarizing and nondepolarizing.

Depolarizing agents, such as succinylcholine, initially cause muscle fasciculations followed by a sustained depolarizing block.

Nondepolarizing agents, including rocuronium, vecuronium, atracurium, and cisatracurium, act by competitively blocking acetylcholine at nicotinic receptors on the motor endplate.

Administration is by intravenous injection, with dosing guided by neuromuscular monitoring; reversal of nondepolarizing blocks is achieved with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (often with an anticholinergic) or with agents like sugammadex for certain drugs.

Depolarizing blocks are typically not reversed pharmacologically and have distinct duration and complications, such as risks of hyperkalemia or malignant hyperthermia in susceptible individuals.

Paralytics do not provide analgesia or sedation and must be used with appropriate anesthetic care to ensure patient safety.

As a noun, paralytic may also refer to a person with paralysis due to injury, disease, or neurological conditions, such as spinal cord injury or stroke.