Disorder type | Response to succinylcholine | Response to nondepolarizing NMBA |
Myasthenic syndromes |
| Resistant | Sensitive |
- Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
| Sensitive | Sensitive |
- Congenital myasthenic syndromes
| Variable, not recommended due to potential hyperkalemic response | Sensitive |
Malignant hyperthermia, central core disease, King-Denborough syndrome | Contraindicated | Normal |
Demyelinating diseases |
| Avoid use | Sensitive |
| Avoid use | Sensitive |
| Avoid use | Sensitive |
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTD)
| Avoid use | Normal |
Primary muscle diseases |
Muscular dystrophies | Contraindicated | Sensitive |
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
| Contraindicated | Sensitive |
- Becker muscular dystrophy
| Contraindicated | Sensitive |
| Contraindicated | Sensitive |
- Congenital muscular dystrophy
| Contraindicated | Sensitive |
- Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
| Contraindicated | Sensitive |
| Contraindicated | Sensitive* |
Mitochondrial myopathies | Sensitive | Sensitive |
Motor neuron diseases |
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) | Avoid use | Sensitive |
Channelopathies |
| Avoid use | Normal* |
| Avoid use |
| Avoid use |
- Potassium aggravated myotonia
| Avoid use |
- Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis
| Avoid use |
- Hypokalemic periodic paralysis
| Avoid use |
Spinal cord injury, stroke, immobility, ICU patients | Avoid use | Resistant |
Metabolic myopathies |
Storage disorders (lipid, glycogen)¶ | Avoid use | Variable – avoid use if possible |