Sugammadex
/api/v1/drug/sugammadexMechanism of action
Sourced from openFDABRIDION is a modified gamma cyclodextrin. It forms a complex with the neuromuscular blocking agents rocuronium and vecuronium, and it reduces the amount of neuromuscular blocking agent available to bind to nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the neuromuscular junction.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- BRIDION ® is indicated for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide and vecuronium bromide in adult and pediatric patients undergoing surgery. BRIDION is indicated for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide and vecuronium bromide in adult and pediatric patients undergoing surgery.
Contraindications
Sourced from openFDA- BRIDION is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to sugammadex or any of its components. Hypersensitivity reactions that occurred varied from isolated skin reactions to serious systemic reactions (i.e., anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock) and have occurred in patients with no prior exposure to sugammadex [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , Adverse Reactions (6) ] .contraindicated
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDADosing is based on actual body weight ( 2.1 ) Monitor for twitch responses to determine the timing and dose for BRIDION administration. ( 2.1 ) Administer as a single bolus injection. ( 2.1 ) For rocuronium and vecuronium: 4 mg/kg is recommended if spontaneous recovery of the twitch response has reached 1 to 2 post-tetanic counts (PTC) and there are no twitch responses to train-of-four (TOF) stimulation. ( 2.2 ) 2 mg/kg is recommended if spontaneous recovery has reached the reappearance of the second twitch in response to TOF stimulation. ( 2.2 ) For rocuronium only: 16 mg/kg is recommended if there is a clinical need to reverse neuromuscular blockade soon (approximately 3 minutes) after administration of a single dose of 1.2 mg/kg of rocuronium. Immediate reversal in pediatric patients has not been studied. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Important Dosing and Administration Information BRIDION dosing is based on actual body weight. BRIDION (sugammadex) injection, for intravenous use, should be administered by trained healthcare providers familiar with the use, actions, characteristics, and complications of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) and neuromuscular block reversal agents. Doses and timing of BRIDION administration should be based on monitoring for twitch responses and the extent of spontaneous recovery that has occurred. Administer BRIDION intravenously as a single bolus injection. The bolus injection may be given over 10 seconds, into an existing intravenous line. BRIDION has only been administered as a single bolus injection in clinical trials.
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDAAnaphylaxis : Be prepared for hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylactic reactions) and take necessary precautions. ( 5.1 ) Marked Bradycardia : Cases of marked bradycardia, some of which have resulted in cardiac arrest, have been observed within minutes after administration. Monitor for hemodynamic changes and administer anticholinergic agents such as atropine if clinically significant bradycardia is observed. ( 5.2 ) Respiratory Function Monitoring : Ventilatory support is mandatory until adequate spontaneous respiration is restored and the ability to maintain a patent airway is assured. Provide adequate ventilation if neuromuscular blockade persists after BRIDION or recurs following extubation. ( 5.3 , 5.4 ) Waiting Times for Re-Administration of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents : If re-administration of a neuromuscular blocking agent is required after reversal with BRIDION, waiting times should be based on the dose of BRIDION and the renal function of the patient. Consider use of a nonsteroidal neuromuscular blocking agent. ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Anaphylaxis and Hypersensitivity Clinicians should be prepared for the possibility of drug hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylactic reactions) and take the necessary precautions [see Contraindications (4) , Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Potentially serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in patients treated with BRIDION.
Adverse reactions
Sourced from openFDAThe following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Anaphylaxis and Hypersensitivity [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Marked Bradycardia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Most common adverse reactions (reported in ≥10% of adult patients at a 2, 4, or 16 mg/kg BRIDION dose and higher than the placebo rate): vomiting, pain, nausea, hypotension, and headache. ( 6.1 ) Most common adverse reactions (reported in ≥10% of pediatric patients 2 to <17 years of age at BRIDION doses of 2 or 4 mg/kg) were pain, vomiting, and nausea. ( 6.1 ) Most common adverse reaction (reported in ≥10% of pediatric patients from birth to <2 years of age at BRIDION doses of 2 or 4 mg/kg) was procedural pain. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 1-877-888-4231 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adult Patients The data described below reflect 2914 subjects exposed to 2, 4, or 16 mg/kg BRIDION and 544 to placebo in pooled Phase 1-3 studies. The population was 18 to 92 years old, 47% male and 53% female, 34% ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) Class 1, 51% ASA Class 2, and 14% ASA Class 3, and 82% Caucasian. Most subjects received a single dose of BRIDION 2 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg.
Use in specific populations
Sourced from openFDASevere Renal Impairment : Not recommended. ( 8.6 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no clinical trial data on BRIDION use in pregnant women to inform any drug-associated risks. The available data from the pharmacovigilance safety database and published literature on BRIDION use in pregnant women are insufficient to identify a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, there was no evidence of malformations following daily intravenous administration of sugammadex to rats and rabbits during organogenesis at exposures of up to 6 and 8 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 16 mg/kg. However, there was an increase in the incidence of incomplete ossification of the sternebra and reduced fetal body weights in the rabbit study at 8 times the MRHD, which is a dose level in which maternal toxicity was also observed. In a pre- and postnatal development study, sugammadex treatment resulted in an increase in early postnatal loss, which correlated with maternal behavior (increased incidence of pup cannibalism), at exposures equivalent to the MRHD and higher (see Data ) . The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population are unknown. However, the background risk in the U.S.
Pharmacokinetics
Sourced from openFDA- Metabolism
- The sugammadex pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from the total sum of non-complex-bound and complex-bound concentrations of sugammadex. Pharmacokinetic parameters as clearance and volume of distribution are assumed to be the same for non-complex-bound and complex-bound sugammadex in anesthetized patients.
Overdosage
Sourced from openFDAIn premarketing clinical trials, one case of accidental overdose with 40 mg/kg BRIDION was reported without significant effects. BRIDION can be removed using hemodialysis with a high-flux filter, but not with a low-flux filter. Based upon clinical studies, BRIDION concentrations in plasma are reduced with a high-flux filter by about 70% after a 3- to 6-hour dialysis session.
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Dec 15, 2015NDANDA022225Msd Sub Merck
FAERS reports
- 1Anaphylactic Reaction29911%
- 2Bradycardia28111%
- 3Cardiac Arrest1877.1%
- 4Anaphylactic Shock1716.5%
- 5Bronchospasm1686.4%
- 6Hypotension1596.1%
- 7Drug Ineffective1385.3%
- 8Recurrence Of Neuromuscular Blockade1074.1%
- 9Off Label Use933.5%
- 10Oxygen Saturation Decreased933.5%
- 11Drug Interaction772.9%
- 12Blood Pressure Decreased672.6%
- 13Dyspnoea642.4%
- 14Hypoxia582.2%
- 15Maternal Exposure During Pregnancy552.1%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Sugammadex as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Sugammadex Vs. Neostigmine for Cerebral Perfusion During Emergence From General Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.CNS neuroscience & therapeutics · 2026 · Jia X, Cao W, Li T, et al.PMID 42144995DOI 10.1002/cns.70924
- Sugammadex-Associated Delayed Laryngeal and Upper Airway Edema: A Novel Adverse Effect.Journal of investigative medicine high impact case reports · 2026 · Habib R, Isshak R, Sabouh R, et al.PMID 42113672DOI 10.1177/23247096261451464
- Successful rescue for anaphylactic shock due to sugammadex using extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.Perfusion · 2026 · Lee S, Cho HS, Song S, et al.PMID 42087621DOI 10.1177/02676591261424676
- When Reversal Is Not Rescue: The Prehospital Sugammadex Myth in Airway Management.Air medical journal · 2026 · Sýkora R, Chvojka J, Renza M, et al.PMID 42069348DOI 10.1016/j.amj.2026.01.013
- Comparing Clinical Outcomes in Cardiac Surgical Patients Who Receive Sugammadex Versus Placebo: A Prospective Randomized Blinded Controlled Trial.Critical care explorations · 2026 · Greenberg SB, Ben-Isvy N, Locke AR, et al.PMID 42012852DOI 10.1097/CCE.0000000000001406
- Impact of Sugammadex versus Neostigmine on Diaphragmatic Function and Respiratory Recovery in Morbidly Obese Patients with Moderate Neuromuscular Block: A Randomised Double-Blind Controlled Trial.Drug design, development and therapy · 2026 · Chai YX, Wang YH, Wu L, et al.PMID 41970209DOI 10.2147/DDDT.S577208
- Effect of neostigmine/glycopyrrolate versus sugammadex on postoperative delirium in older adults: A triple-masked, randomized, controlled trial protocol.PloS one · 2026 · Dou W, Jiang K, Hu JH, et al.PMID 41920897DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0346523
- Sugammadex and Postoperative Respiratory Failure in Head and Neck Surgery: A Cohort Study.Drug design, development and therapy · 2026 · Hung KC, Yu TS, Lai YC, et al.PMID 41908944DOI 10.2147/DDDT.S580072
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 335 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Sugammadex as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- Minimal Flow Anesthesia and Infection RiskCompleted · Interventional · 140 enrolled · Ankara City Hospital BilkentNCT07092046updated 2026-06-05
- Avoiding Neuromuscular Blockers to Reduce ComplicationsTerminated · Phase 4 · Interventional · 3 enrolled · Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterNCT03962725updated 2026-06-04
- Pharmacological Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade in Critically Ill PatientsRecruiting · Interventional · 30 enrolled · Seoul National University HospitalNCT05993390updated 2026-06-02
- Sugammadex vs Neostigmine/Glycopyrrolate on Urinary Retention After Spine SurgeryCompleted · Phase 4 · Interventional · 118 enrolled · University of Missouri-ColumbiaNCT05887375updated 2026-05-05
- Evaluating Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery Patients Who Receive Sugammadex vs. PlaceboCompleted · Phase 3 · Interventional · 74 enrolled · Endeavor HealthNCT05801679updated 2026-05-04
- Prospective Randomized Trial of Moderate vs Deep Neuromuscular Blockade During Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia RepairWithdrawn · Interventional · 0 enrolled · Stony Brook UniversityNCT03201744updated 2026-04-24
- Venous Tourniquet vs. Arterial Tourniquet for Seizure Monitoring in ECTNot yet recruiting · Interventional · 20 enrolled · Medipol UniversityNCT07534475updated 2026-04-21
- Pharmacokinetics of Sugammadex in Reversal of Vecuronium-induced Neuromuscular Blockade in Patients During Laparoscopic SurgeryCompleted · Phase 4 · Interventional · 48 enrolled · Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military CommandNCT05328778updated 2026-04-20
- Assessment of Endotracheal Tube Temperature Effects in Children Undergoing AdenotonsillectomyCompleted · Interventional · 270 enrolled · Bursa City HospitalNCT06838260updated 2026-04-15
- An Observational Study to Analyze the Prescription Pattern of Sugammadex and Its Effectiveness and SafetyCompleted · Observational · 6,458 enrolled · Boryung Pharmaceutical Co., LtdNCT05788718updated 2026-04-13
Frequently asked questions
- How does Sugammadex work?
- BRIDION is a modified gamma cyclodextrin. It forms a complex with the neuromuscular blocking agents rocuronium and vecuronium, and it reduces the amount of neuromuscular blocking agent available to bind to nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the neuromuscular junction.
- What is Sugammadex used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Sugammadex carries indications including: BRIDION ® is indicated for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide and vecuronium bromide in adult and pediatric patients undergoing surgery. BRIDION is indicated for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide and vecuronium bromide in adult and pediatric patients undergoing surgery.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Sugammadex?
- Sugammadex is classified as Antidotes.
- What are the brand names for Sugammadex?
- Sugammadex is marketed under brand names including Bridion.
- What are the contraindications for Sugammadex?
- Sugammadex labeling lists contraindications including: BRIDION is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to sugammadex or any of its components. Hypersensitivity reactions that occurred varied from isolated skin reactions to serious systemic reactions (i.e., anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock) and have occurred in patients with no prior exposure to sugammadex [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , Adverse Reactions (6) ] .. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
sugammadex is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.