Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Succinylcholine (suxamethonium) is a fast, short-acting muscle relaxant used during anaesthesia. It relaxes the muscles within about a minute so a breathing tube can be placed quickly, and its effect normally wears off within ten minutes. It is sold as Anectine, among other names.
Two kinds of genes matter. Rare variants in RYR1 and CACNA1S, muscle calcium-channel genes, cause malignant hyperthermia susceptibility: with succinylcholine or inhaled anaesthetics the muscles release calcium uncontrollably, with a dangerous rise in temperature. Separately, BCHE makes butyrylcholinesterase, the blood enzyme that breaks succinylcholine down; people with two low-activity BCHE copies, about 1 in 3,000, can stay paralysed for hours. CPIC has published a guideline on RYR1 and CACNA1S, and the US drug label mentions all three genes.
Clinical guidelines that name a gene for Succinylcholine. They sort people into groups by the gene copies they carry.
Every published finding on gene variants and Succinylcholine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
RYR1 rs118192172: Level 1A · replicated. Toxicity: Malignant Hyperthermia. 51.
RYR1 rs121918593: Level 1A · replicated. Toxicity: Malignant Hyperthermia. 35.
RYR1 rs121918592: Level 1A · replicated. Toxicity: Malignant Hyperthermia. 27.
RYR1 rs118192161: Level 1A · replicated. Toxicity: Malignant Hyperthermia. 26.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies of side effects in people carrying a variant.
BCHE BCHE deficiency: BCHE deficiency is associated with decreased metabolism of succinylcholine.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Zemuron (Neuromuscular Blockers)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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