An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry

232 The peripheral nervous system
; ^.---- Acetyl choline
skeleton
Atracurium
Acetyl choline ----- '^X^-^/'
skeleton
Fig. 11.39 Pancuronium and vecuronium.
R = H VECURONIUM
R = Me PANCURONIUM
The design of atracurium (Fig. 11.40) was based on the structures of tubocurarine and
suxamethonium. It is superior to both since it lacks cardiac side-effects and is rapidly
broken down in blood. This rapid breakdown allows the drug to be administered as an
intravenous drip.
MeO,
OMe
MeO'
Me
CH:
,CH2-C—O—(CH2)5—O—C—CH2
'OMe
OMe
'OMe
Fig. 11.40
MeO'
Atracurium.
OMe