Toxicity testing of atracurium.

The toxicity of atracurium has been investigated in subacute tests in rat, dog and monkey, in a fetal toxicity test in the rabbit and in a paranatal study in the cat. No specific adverse effects were found despite administration of supraparalysing doses. It appeared not to cross the placenta at term and the neonatal kitten seemed resistant to its neuromuscular blocking action. In the dog, cat and pig, in which physiological monitoring was undertaken, i.v. injection of three to four times the paralysing dose had little or no effect on arterial pressure or heart rate. The solution did not cause local irritation. Atracurium was not mutagenic in the Ames test.