What is a major side effect of succinylcholine use?

Succinylcholine is a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker commonly used in rapid sequence intubation due to its fast onset and short duration of action. One of the significant physiological effects of succinylcholine is the transient increase in intracranial and intraocular pressure. This occurs because succinylcholine causes initial depolarization of skeletal muscle, which results in muscle fasciculations. These fasciculations can lead to an increase in intraocular pressure and, therefore, may exacerbate conditions like glaucoma or increase the risk of complications during ocular surgeries.

In clinical practice, awareness of this side effect is essential, especially in patients who have preexisting eye conditions or risk factors for increased intraocular pressure. Therefore, this characteristic makes it critical to monitor patients after administration of succinylcholine to mitigate any adverse outcomes related to increased intraocular pressure.