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Tag: Malignant hyperthermia

Explore our medication guides and pharmacology articles within this category.

What is the difference between Dantrium and RYANODEX?

4 min read
The mortality rate for malignant hyperthermia plummeted from 70-80% to under 10% after the introduction of dantrolene sodium. In a medical emergency, knowing **what is the difference between Dantrium and RYANODEX**, two intravenous formulations of this critical drug, can be life-saving for patients susceptible to this rare and dangerous condition.

How Does Ryanodex Work? Understanding its Mechanism of Action

4 min read
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a life-threatening, inherited pharmacogenetic disorder with a mortality rate that has drastically decreased due to effective treatment. A key part of this treatment involves Ryanodex (dantrolene sodium), and understanding **how does Ryanodex work** is crucial for its rapid deployment in a crisis situation.

What Does Dantrolene Do? Understanding This Unique Muscle Relaxant

4 min read
Since the introduction of dantrolene in the 1980s, the mortality rate of malignant hyperthermia (MH) has dramatically decreased from 70–80% to less than 10%. This significant improvement highlights the life-saving role of this unique muscle relaxant, but what does dantrolene do beyond treating this rare emergency?

What is the alternative to Dantrium? Understanding Medications and Pharmacology

4 min read
Dantrium, or dantrolene sodium, is a muscle relaxant primarily used for long-term spasticity and as the primary treatment for life-threatening malignant hyperthermia (MH). For patients experiencing side effects, considering the significant risk of hepatotoxicity associated with oral Dantrium, or when the medication is simply ineffective, understanding what is the alternative to Dantrium is critical.

Understanding the Risks: Who Should Not Be Put Under Anesthesia?

5 min read
Serious complications from general anesthesia are rare, even for people with serious health conditions. However, instead of a simple rule for who should not be put under anesthesia, the decision is a careful, individualized risk assessment that factors in a patient's overall health and the nature of the surgery.

What gets mistaken for serotonin syndrome? A crucial differential diagnosis guide

4 min read
According to a 2010 review in *American Family Physician*, the incidence of serotonin syndrome is on the rise, underscoring the vital need for clinicians and patients alike to understand what gets mistaken for serotonin syndrome. Recognizing this potentially fatal condition requires careful consideration of a patient's medication history and a keen understanding of its key mimics. (Word count: 48)

Who Cannot Go Under Anesthesia? Identifying Risks and Contraindications

5 min read
While anesthesia-related mortality is low for healthy individuals, the risk significantly increases for patients with severe systemic diseases [1.16.1]. Understanding **who cannot go under anesthesia** involves assessing specific health conditions, allergies, and patient history to ensure safety during surgical procedures.