The place of sugammadex in anaesthesia practice

SummarySugammadex has been licenced for reversal of rocuronium and vecuronium induced neuromuscular blockade (NMB) in Europe since July 2008. Sugammadex has been shown to be efficacious and has had a good safety profile in the (limited number of) patients exposed to the drug so far. Recent publications have highlighted the potential for sugammadex to change or enhance the management of NMB, in routine clinical practice, in emergency situations and in special populations. This article provides an overview of when sugammadex may be used, a dialogue on the need for sugammadex and an overview of safety and sugammadex. We feel that the introduction of sugammadex into clinical practice has increased the options in treating patients across a wide range of clinical situations. However, there are currently pharmaco-economic barriers to the widespread introduction of sugammadex and further clinical trials will inform the debate concerning cost-effectiveness.