What are some things my provider will monitor for while I'm recovering with Bridion (sugammadex)?

Besides looking out for signs of muscle movement, your provider will also monitor your heart rate and breathing while you're recovering with Bridion (sugammadex). Bridion (sugammadex) can slow down your heart rate, and raise the risk of [cardiac arrest](https://medlineplus.gov/suddencardiacarrest.html) (when your heart stops beating). Some people experience this within minutes of getting Bridion (sugammadex), so your provider will monitor your heart and, if needed, give you medications to raise your heart rate. In addition, your provider will also monitor your breathing. After you get Bridion (sugammadex), it might take some time before you can breathe on your own so your provider will place a [ventilator](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/ventilator) on you to help you breathe.

Bridion

Q: What is Bridion (sugammadex)?

Bridion (sugammadex) is an injectable medication used after surgery to reverse the effects of temporary muscle paralysis from medications called [rocuronium bromide](https://www.goodrx.com/rocuronium/what-is) and [vecuronium bromide](https://www.goodrx.com/vecuronium/what-is). Bridion (sugammadex) helps you regain muscle movement by binding to rocuronium or vecuronium in your body so that those medications can no longer work.

Q: What are some common side effects of Bridion (sugammadex)?

Common side effects of Bridion (sugammadex) experienced by adults include vomiting, pain, nausea, low blood pressure, and headache. For children, they can include experience pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Q: Can Bridion (sugammadex) cause an allergic reaction?

Although rare, Bridion (sugammadex) can cause serious allergic reactions ([anaphylaxis](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/anaphylaxis)) in some people. Symptoms can show up within 5 minutes of getting Bridion (sugammadex), and can include redness and swelling of the eyes, hives, skin redness, swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing. Other, less serious symptoms of an allergic reaction can include nausea, itching, rash. Let your provider know right away if you experience any of the signs and symptoms mentioned so they can provide you with the appropriate care.

Q: Will Bridion (sugammadex) affect other medications that I take?

Bridion (sugammadex) can cause hormonal birth controls to not work well. If you're taking a hormonal birth control, use a back-up form of birth control (e.g., condoms or spermicides) for a week after getting Bridion (sugammadex). Let your provider know about all of the medications you're taking before your surgery so they can help you check for interactions.

sugammadex

Used for Post-Surgical Care

Bridion (sugammadex) is a medication injected intravenously (into the vein) to reverse the effects of certain medications that cause temporary muscle paralysis (loss of muscle movement) required during surgery. Bridion (sugammadex) is approved for use in adults and children 2 years and older, but it can only be given by a trained healthcare provider.

Reviewed by:

Yen Nguyen, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on May 24, 2022

What is Bridion (sugammadex)?

What is Bridion (sugammadex) used for?

To reverse the effects of certain muscle-paralyzing medications used during surgery in both adults and children

Drug facts

Common Brands	Bridion
Drug Class	Antidote
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Bridion

Drug Class

Antidote

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Bridion

Bridion is an injectable medication used after surgery to reverse the effects of temporary muscle paralysis from medications called rocuronium bromide and vecuronium bromide. Bridion helps you regain muscle movement by binding to rocuronium or vecuronium in your body so that those medications can no longer work.

Common side effects of Bridion experienced by adults include vomiting, pain, nausea, low blood pressure, and headache. For children, they can include experience pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Although rare, Bridion can cause serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in some people. Symptoms can show up within 5 minutes of getting Bridion, and can include redness and swelling of the eyes, hives, skin redness, swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing. Other, less serious symptoms of an allergic reaction can include nausea, itching, rash. Let your provider know right away if you experience any of the signs and symptoms mentioned so they can provide you with the appropriate care.

Besides looking out for signs of muscle movement, your provider will also monitor your heart rate and breathing while you're recovering with Bridion. Bridion can slow down your heart rate, and raise the risk of cardiac arrest (when your heart stops beating). Some people experience this within minutes of getting Bridion, so your provider will monitor your heart and, if needed, give you medications to raise your heart rate. In addition, your provider will also monitor your breathing. After you get Bridion, it might take some time before you can breathe on your own so your provider will place a ventilator on you to help you breathe.

Bridion can cause hormonal birth controls to not work well. If you're taking a hormonal birth control, use a back-up form of birth control (e.g., condoms or spermicides) for a week after getting Bridion. Let your provider know about all of the medications you're taking before your surgery so they can help you check for interactions.

Bridion

What is Bridion (sugammadex)?

What is Bridion (sugammadex) used for?

Drug facts

Common questions about Bridion

Bridion (sugammadex) dosage

Typical dosage for Bridion (sugammadex)

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Common questions about Bridion

What is Bridion (sugammadex)?

What is Bridion (sugammadex) used for?

Drug facts

Common questions about Bridion

What is Bridion?

What are some common side effects of Bridion?

Can Bridion cause an allergic reaction?

What are some things my provider will monitor for while I'm recovering with Bridion?

Will Bridion affect other medications that I take?

Bridion (sugammadex) dosage

Typical dosage for Bridion (sugammadex)

Common questions about Bridion

What is Bridion?

What are some common side effects of Bridion?

Can Bridion cause an allergic reaction?

What are some things my provider will monitor for while I'm recovering with Bridion?

Will Bridion affect other medications that I take?