ABSTRACT
Neuromuscular blocking agents have been an essential part of the anesthetists' armamentarium for more than 50 years. The first relaxant used in clinical practice, d-tubocurarine, is rarely used now and is not available in many areas of the world, partly because of its unacceptable side-effects and partly because of the development of much safer and more predictable newer agents. The general principles supporting the use of muscle relaxants and the commonly used individual agents are described in this chapter.
