Editing Lethal injection (section)

====Pancuronium bromide (Pavulon)====
{{Main|Pancuronium}}
*Lethal injection dosage: 100 milligrams

Pancuronium bromide (Trade name: Pavulon): The related drug [[curare]], like pancuronium, is a [[neuromuscular-blocking drug|non-depolarizing muscle relaxant]] (a [[paralytic]] agent) that blocks the action of [[acetylcholine]] at the motor end-plate of the [[neuromuscular junction]]. Binding of acetylcholine to receptors on the end-plate causes depolarization and contraction of the muscle fiber; non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents like pancuronium stop this binding from taking place

The typical dose for pancuronium bromide in capital punishment by lethal injection is 0.2&nbsp;mg/kg and the duration of paralysis is around 4 to 8 hours. Paralysis of respiratory muscles will lead to death in a considerably shorter time.

Pancuronium bromide is a derivative of the [[alkaloid]] [[malouetine]] from the plant ''Malouetia bequaertiana''.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Prelude to pancuronium and vecuronium |journal=Anaesthesia |volume=55 |issue=6 |pages=551–6 |doi=10.1046/j.1365-2044.2000.01423.x |pmid=10866718 |year=2000 |last1=McKenzie |first1=A. G. |s2cid=22476701 |doi-access= }}</ref>

Instead of pancuronium, other drugs in use are [[suxamethonium chloride|succinylcholine chloride]] and [[tubocurarine chloride]].