Diseases and Conditions

Pseudocholinesterase deficiency

Treatment

If you have pseudocholinesterase deficiency, your anesthesiologist can avoid giving you drugs that may trigger prolonged muscle relaxation and choose other muscle relaxants instead.

There is no cure for pseudocholinesterase deficiency. If you have the condition and you receive muscle relaxants that prolong your anesthesia recovery, you'll likely need medical assistance. If needed, mechanical ventilation support and sedation are provided while you recover and start breathing on your own.

With pseudocholinesterase deficiency, you may also be sensitive to other drugs and chemicals. These can include the local anesthetic procaine and certain agricultural pesticides.

If you've been diagnosed with pseudocholinesterase deficiency, wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. This lets health care professionals know of your risk, especially in an emergency.