Butyrylcholinesterase (Pseudocholinesterase) Deficiency

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) deficiency—also called pseudocholinesterase deficiency—is a condition in which the blood enzyme that breaks down certain anesthesia drugs works poorly or is missing. Because of this, if a person receives succinylcholine or mivacurium during anesthesia, the paralysis from these medicines can last much longer than expected. People may need temporary breathing support until the drugs wear off naturally. The problem is usually genetic (changes in the BCHE gene), but low enzyme activity can also be acquired in some illnesses or with certain medicines. The key to safety is avoiding triggering drugs and planning anesthesia carefully. NCBI+2MedlinePlus+2 BChE (made by the liver) circulates in your blood and normally breaks down succinylcholine and mivacurium quickly. If BChE is deficient or atypical, those drugs hang around longer, so muscle relaxation (including the breathing muscles) persists. That is why prolonged apnea after succinylcholine often reveals the diagnosis. MedlinePlus+1

Butyrylcholinesterase deficiency is a genetic or acquired condition that makes you unusually sensitive to specific anesthesia muscle relaxants. In routine patients, succinylcholine and mivacurium wear off fast. In this condition, they can last hours. The main danger is not being able to breathe unassisted for a while, which is why a ventilator and close monitoring are used until the medicines clear. Long-term health is typically normal—this condition mainly matters during anesthesia. The safest plan is to update your medical record, wear a medical alert, and avoid the triggering drugs in future surgeries. NCBI+1

Butyrylcholinesterase deficiency is a condition in which the blood enzyme called butyrylcholinesterase (also known as pseudocholinesterase) does not work well or is too low. This enzyme is made in the liver and normally helps break down certain drugs, especially two muscle-relaxing medicines used for anesthesia: succinylcholine and mivacurium. When the enzyme is weak or low, these medicines stay in the body for a much longer time. This can cause unexpected, prolonged muscle paralysis and trouble breathing after surgery, which means the person may need a breathing machine until the drugs slowly wear off. Most people feel normal in daily life and only discover the problem after they get one of these medicines. MedlinePlus+2MedlinePlus+2

Other names

Doctors use several names for the same condition. These are common:

• Pseudocholinesterase deficiency

• BCHE deficiency (because the BCHE gene is involved)

• Atypical cholinesterase

• Plasma cholinesterase deficiency

• Serum cholinesterase deficiency

All these names point to the same basic problem: low or slow butyrylcholinesterase activity in blood. MedlinePlus+1

Types

There are several useful ways to think about the “types.”

1) By cause

• Inherited (genetic) type. Changes (“variants”) in the BCHE gene reduce or block enzyme activity. If a person has variants in both copies of the gene, the effect is strong and paralysis after succinylcholine or mivacurium can be very long. If a person has a variant in only one copy, the effect is milder but still longer than usual. MedlinePlus+1

• Acquired type. The enzyme becomes low because of an illness or body state (for example liver disease, malnutrition, severe burns, cancer, kidney disease, pregnancy) or because of some chemicals and medicines that inhibit the enzyme. PMC+1

• Iatrogenic (drug-related) type. Some drugs directly inhibit or consume the enzyme for a time, making the effect of succinylcholine or mivacurium last longer. OpenAnesthesia

2) By lab behavior

• Classic “atypical” enzyme. The enzyme’s function falls sharply when tested with a blocker called dibucaine (reported as a low “dibucaine number”).

• Other variant patterns. Some people have fluoride-resistant or silent variants, which also reduce function and are seen on special lab tests or gene tests. orphananesthesia.eu+1

Causes

1. BCHE gene variants (inherited). The most common cause is a change in the BCHE gene passed down in families. It lowers enzyme level or activity, so drugs like succinylcholine last much longer. MedlinePlus

2. Heterozygous carrier state. Carriers have one normal and one changed gene. They usually feel fine but may clear the drugs slower than average. MedlinePlus

3. Liver disease. Because the enzyme is made in the liver, liver damage lowers enzyme production and increases risk of prolonged drug effects. PMC

4. Kidney disease. Advanced kidney problems can reduce enzyme levels and activity in blood. PMC

5. Malnutrition. Poor protein intake and general malnutrition lower the building blocks needed to make the enzyme. PMC

6. Cancer (malignancy). Some cancers are linked with low enzyme levels, possibly through inflammation and liver effects. PMC

7. Major burns. Severe burns shift body protein use and can drop enzyme levels, raising risk during anesthesia. PMC

8. Pregnancy and the early weeks after birth. Enzyme levels can be lower during pregnancy and right after delivery, which may lengthen drug action. OpenAnesthesia

9. Organophosphate exposure (e.g., certain pesticides). These chemicals inhibit cholinesterases and can greatly depress activity for days to weeks. NCBI

10. Carbamates and related inhibitors. Some insecticides and medications in this class temporarily block enzyme function. NCBI

11. Sertraline and select antidepressants (rare). Case reports describe lowered enzyme activity and prolonged paralysis when these patients receive succinylcholine. PMC

12. Ester local anesthetics (e.g., procaine). These can compete for or consume enzyme capacity, briefly lowering activity. NCBI

13. Cocaine. This drug is metabolized by butyrylcholinesterase; heavy or acute exposure can interact with enzyme availability. NCBI

14. Mivacurium exposure itself. Because mivacurium relies on this enzyme for breakdown, low activity reveals the deficiency with unusually long paralysis. NCBI

15. Succinylcholine exposure. The classic trigger; even a standard dose may last far beyond the normal few minutes, causing apnea. NCBI

16. Sepsis and systemic inflammation. Critical illness can reduce enzyme levels through catabolism and liver effects. NCBI

17. Advanced age. Older adults can have lower enzyme activity, increasing sensitivity to these drugs. NCBI

18. Severe hepatic steatosis or cirrhosis from alcohol. Alcohol-related liver damage lowers production of the enzyme. NCBI

19. Genetic “silent” variants. Some people produce almost no working enzyme due to rare BCHE mutations, leading to very long drug effect. MedlinePlus

20. Post-operative dilution (massive transfusion). Large transfusions and fluids can dilute plasma enzyme for a time. NCBI

Symptoms and signs

1. Prolonged apnea after anesthesia. The person cannot breathe on their own when expected and needs ventilation support longer than normal. NCBI

2. Long-lasting muscle paralysis after succinylcholine or mivacurium. Muscles stay flaccid well past the usual 5–10 minutes. NCBI

3. Delayed awakening from anesthesia because of weakness. The brain may be awake, but the person cannot move or breathe effectively yet. NCBI

4. Weak or absent breathing efforts on the ventilator weaning trial. Respiratory muscles remain weak. NCBI

5. Low oxygen levels if support is not adequate. Oxygen can drop without proper ventilation. NCBI

6. Lack of movement to command in the recovery room. Limbs stay floppy because the neuromuscular block persists. NCBI

7. Need for prolonged mechanical ventilation after short procedures. A simple surgery can require unexpected ICU care for breathing support. NCBI

8. Normal daily life between procedures. Most people are symptom-free unless exposed to specific drugs. MedlinePlus

9. Family history of similar events with anesthesia. Relatives may report someone “not waking up” quickly after surgery. NCBI

10. Anxiety and distress after awareness of the condition. People worry about future surgeries and drug safety.

11. Prolonged need for sedation to match paralysis. If the body is paralyzed longer, doctors keep sedation to prevent awareness. NCBI

12. Sore throat from extended intubation. The breathing tube may need to stay in longer than expected.

13. Risk of aspiration without proper airway protection. Weak muscles can let stomach contents enter the lungs if the airway is unprotected.

14. Slow return of muscle strength on nerve stimulator testing (train-of-four). Objective signs of ongoing block are seen on monitors. OpenAnesthesia

15. Emotional impact after the event. People may fear future anesthesia and seek genetic or lab testing for answers.

Diagnostic tests

A) Physical examination

1. Observation of breathing effort. The care team watches chest rise and breathing pattern; weak or absent effort suggests ongoing block.

2. Airway protection check. If cough and gag are weak, the airway may not be safe for extubation.

3. Muscle tone and movement testing. Limp muscles and no purposeful movement point to persistent paralysis.

4. Vital signs monitoring. Heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels help detect stress or low oxygen while the block is present.

5. Recovery room functional checks. The team looks for head lift, hand squeeze, and sustained leg raise; failure suggests continued neuromuscular block.

B) Manual/bedside neuromuscular tests

6. Train-of-four (TOF) monitoring. Small electrical pulses to a nerve test muscle response. Fewer twitches or strong “fade” means ongoing block from drugs like succinylcholine or mivacurium. OpenAnesthesia

7. Post-tetanic count. After a brief strong stimulation, the number of small twitches that follow helps judge how deep the block is.

8. Clinical head-lift test (when safe). When the patient is awake enough, the ability to hold the head up for 5 seconds is a simple sign of strength returning.

9. Sustained handgrip or tongue depressor test. Failure to maintain a steady grip or bite suggests residual paralysis.

C) Laboratory and pathological tests

10. Serum pseudocholinesterase activity level. A standard blood test measures enzyme activity; low values support the diagnosis. NCBI

11. Dibucaine number (functional inhibition test). This test reports how much the enzyme is blocked by dibucaine. A low “dibucaine number” means an atypical enzyme and higher risk for long paralysis. Combining the dibucaine number with the activity level gives a clearer picture. ltd.aruplab.com+1

12. Fluoride inhibition number (when available). A similar functional test helps classify certain variant enzymes. orphananesthesia.eu

13. BCHE gene testing (genotyping). A DNA test looks for changes in the BCHE gene to confirm the inherited form and to identify which variant runs in the family. Orpha

14. Liver function tests. These look for liver disease as an acquired cause of low enzyme. PMC

15. Nutritional labs (albumin, pre-albumin). Poor protein status lowers enzyme production, so these tests help explain acquired deficiency. PMC

16. Cholinesterase inhibitor screening (if exposure suspected). In cases of pesticide or chemical exposure, labs may support a diagnosis of enzyme inhibition. NCBI

D) Electrodiagnostic/monitoring tests

17. Quantitative acceleromyography (objective TOF). A small sensor measures actual movement strength during nerve stimulation to track return of muscle function. OpenAnesthesia

18. Continuous neuromuscular monitoring during anesthesia. Ongoing monitoring helps recognize abnormal, prolonged block early and guide safe extubation timing. orphananesthesia.eu

E) Imaging tests

19. Chest X-ray (when clinically needed). Imaging can check for complications of prolonged ventilation, such as atelectasis or aspiration, and to confirm tube position if needed. (Imaging is not used to diagnose the enzyme problem; it checks for complications).

20. Liver ultrasound (if acquired causes suspected). This can look for structural liver disease that might lower enzyme production. (Again, it supports the search for a cause rather than diagnosing the enzyme deficiency itself). PMC

Non-pharmacological treatments (therapies & others)

1. Pre-anesthesia flag in your medical record
   Purpose: Prevent exposure to triggering drugs.
   Mechanism: Electronic and written alerts notify anesthesia teams to avoid succinylcholine/mivacurium and to use safe alternatives. NCBI

2. Medical alert bracelet/card
   Purpose: Warn clinicians in emergencies.
   Mechanism: Immediately informs responders to choose non-triggering neuromuscular blockers and to plan ventilation if needed. NCBI

3. Family history screening
   Purpose: Identify relatives at risk before surgery.
   Mechanism: Because BCHE variants are inherited, relatives can be warned and tested if anesthesia is planned. MedlinePlus

4. Dibucaine number and enzyme activity testing
   Purpose: Detect low/atypical BChE.
   Mechanism: Dibucaine inhibits normal enzyme strongly; a low “dibucaine number” suggests atypical enzyme and higher risk of prolonged paralysis. ltd.aruplab.com+1

5. Genetic counseling when variants are found
   Purpose: Understand inheritance and plan for procedures.
   Mechanism: Counselors explain BCHE variants, risk to children, and how to communicate with care teams. MedlinePlus

6. Anesthetic planning with non-triggering alternatives
   Purpose: Ensure safe muscle relaxation.
   Mechanism: Use rocuronium/vecuronium with monitoring and reversal (sugammadex) rather than succinylcholine/mivacurium. NCBI+1

7. Intraoperative neuromuscular monitoring (train-of-four)
   Purpose: Track depth and recovery of blockade.
   Mechanism: Objective twitch monitoring helps titrate dosing and avoid residual paralysis. NCBI

8. Mechanical ventilation & sedation when prolonged paralysis occurs
   Purpose: Keep oxygenation/ventilation safe until drug clears.
   Mechanism: Ventilator supports breathing; sedation prevents awareness during paralysis. Most patients recover fully as the drug is metabolized slowly. Thai Journal Online

9. Avoidance of ester-type local anesthetics when feasible
   Purpose: Reduce reliance on plasma cholinesterase metabolism.
   Mechanism: Some ester local anesthetics are also metabolized by plasma cholinesterase; amide locals (e.g., lidocaine) may be preferable in some settings. (Clinical judgment required.) OUP Academic

10. Update allergy/intolerance list (“prolonged paralysis with succinylcholine/mivacurium”)
    Purpose: Adds a hard stop.
    Mechanism: Allergy lists trigger pharmacist/clinician alerts during order entry. NCBI

11. Perioperative communication huddle
    Purpose: Team situational awareness.
    Mechanism: Surgeon, anesthetist, nursing, and pharmacy align on drug choices and monitoring plan before induction. NCBI

12. Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU/ICU) observation
    Purpose: Detect delayed recovery or hypoventilation.
    Mechanism: Continuous pulse-oximetry and capnography until safe spontaneous breathing returns. NCBI

13. Medication review for acquired low BChE
    Purpose: Identify reversible contributors.
    Mechanism: Chronic illness, pregnancy, liver disease, and some drugs can reduce cholinesterase; teams account for this in dosing and drug selection. FDA Access Data

14. Written anesthesia plan for future care
    Purpose: Portability across hospitals.
    Mechanism: A one-page letter lists diagnosis, triggering drugs to avoid, and replacements to use. NCBI

15. Patient & caregiver education
    Purpose: Empowered self-advocacy.
    Mechanism: Knowing the condition helps patients promptly tell providers “No succinylcholine or mivacurium; use alternatives.” Cleveland Clinic

16. Emergency department alerts
    Purpose: Safety in urgent airway cases.
    Mechanism: ED teams frequently use rapid-sequence intubation drugs; an alert prevents automatic succinylcholine use. NCBI

17. Use of video laryngoscopy & airway readiness
    Purpose: Smooth intubation with non-depolarizers.
    Mechanism: Optimizing first-pass success reduces need for repeat dosing and complications. NCBI

18. Quality-improvement flags after an event
    Purpose: Prevent recurrence.
    Mechanism: If prolonged apnea happened, institutions add systems alerts and staff education. NCBI

19. Consider fresh frozen plasma (FFP) only in special circumstances
    Purpose: Provide exogenous cholinesterase to hasten recovery if absolutely necessary.
    Mechanism: FFP contains BChE; case reports describe use, but routine transfusion is not standard—supportive ventilation usually suffices. NCBI

20. Document safe alternatives that worked
    Purpose: Create a personal playbook.
    Mechanism: Record dosages and responses to rocuronium/vecuronium plus sugammadex for future procedures. FDA Access Data

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Drug treatments

Important truth: There is no “curative daily medicine” for BChE deficiency. Drug-related management is about avoiding triggers, picking safe neuromuscular blockers, and using evidence-based reversal/monitoring. Below are the key agents you’ll see in real anesthesia plans, with FDA label-based details where applicable.

1. Rocuronium (Zemuron®)
   Class: Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocker. Use/Time: Intubation & surgical relaxation; onset ~1–2 min; duration intermediate. Dose: Typical RSI 0.6–1.2 mg/kg (per clinician judgment). Purpose/Mechanism: Blocks ACh receptors at the neuromuscular junction without relying on BChE for clearance—safer choice than succinylcholine in this condition. Side effects: Brady/tachycardia, hypotension, residual paralysis if under-reversed; monitor. Note: Reversible with sugammadex. FDA Access Data

2. Vecuronium
   Class: Nondepolarizing blocker. Dose/Time: Intubation/surgery; intermediate duration. Purpose/Mechanism: Alternative to rocuronium; does not depend on BChE. Side effects: Similar to other nondepolarizers; ensure monitoring and appropriate reversal. Reversal: Sugammadex effective for vecuronium as per FDA label. FDA Access Data

3. Sugammadex (Bridion®)
   Class: Selective relaxant binding agent (SRBA). Dose/Time: Dosing depends on depth of block; acts within minutes. Purpose/Mechanism: Encapsulates rocuronium/vecuronium molecules in plasma, rapidly reversing paralysis. Side effects: Hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis (rare), bradycardia; adjust in renal impairment. Evidence: FDA label and clinical pharmacology dossiers support indications for rocuronium/vecuronium reversal (adults; pediatric updates noted). FDA Access Data+3FDA Access Data+3FDA Access Data+3

4. Succinylcholine (what to avoid)
   Class: Depolarizing blocker. Warning: Not recommended in known BChE deficiency due to prolonged paralysis; multiple FDA labels and clinical sources caution use. Mechanism: Brief depolarization; requires plasma cholinesterase for rapid breakdown—deficiency causes long effect. Side effects: Hyperkalemia risk, malignant hyperthermia trigger, arrhythmias; boxed warnings exist. Bottom line: Avoid if BChE deficiency is known/suspected. FDA Access Data+2FDA Access Data+2

5. Mivacurium (what to avoid)
   Class: Short-acting nondepolarizer. Warning: Duration prolonged in reduced plasma cholinesterase; labels urge extreme caution or avoidance. Mechanism: Hydrolyzed by BChE; deficiency delays recovery. Side effects: Hypotension (histamine release), prolonged block in deficiency. FDA Access Data+1

6. Remifentanil (Ultiva®)
   Class: Opioid analgesic for anesthesia. Purpose/Mechanism: Provides potent analgesia and blunts sympathetic response during intubation so lower neuromuscular blocker doses may suffice. Key point: Metabolized by nonspecific esterases, not by plasma cholinesterase—so BChE deficiency does not prolong its action per FDA label. Side effects: Respiratory depression, chest wall rigidity; requires airway control. FDA Access Data

7. Propofol
   Class: IV anesthetic. Use: Induction/maintenance; does not depend on BChE. Role: Enables intubation with non-depolarizers; smooths hemodynamics. Side effects: Hypotension, apnea; requires airway management. (General pharmacology; used alongside safe paralytics.) NCBI

8. Etomidate
   Class: IV anesthetic. Role: Hemodynamic stability for induction in select patients; no BChE dependence. Caution: Adrenal suppression with infusion; single induction dose commonly used. NCBI

9. Ketamine
   Class: Dissociative anesthetic/analgesic. Role: Alternative induction; preserves airway reflexes; no BChE dependence. Caution: Emergence reactions; blood pressure rise. NCBI

10. Sevoflurane/Isoflurane
    Class: Volatile anesthetics. Role: Maintenance of anesthesia while using safe neuromuscular blockers; do not rely on BChE. Note: Volatiles can potentiate nondepolarizer blockade—dose adjust and monitor. FDA Access Data

11. Phenylephrine/Ephedrine
    Class: Vasoactive agents. Role: Support blood pressure during anesthesia with non-triggering agents; standard hemodynamic care. NCBI

12. Antiemetics (ondansetron, dexamethasone, etc.)
    Role: Reduce postoperative nausea; do not interact with BChE pathways. Note: Routine supportive care item. NCBI

13. Glycopyrrolate/Neostigmine
    Class: Anticholinergic/anticholinesterase. Role: Traditional reversal of some nondepolarizers (not succinylcholine); less predictable than sugammadex for rocuronium/vecuronium. Use per monitoring. NCBI

14. Midazolam
    Class: Benzodiazepine. Role: Anxiolysis/amnestic premedication; no BChE dependence. Caution: Respiratory depression with opioids. NCBI

15. Lidocaine (amide local anesthetic)
    Role: Local anesthesia without BChE metabolism; sometimes preferred over ester locals in this context (clinical judgment). OUP Academic

16. Epinephrine
    Role: Rescue vasopressor for hypotension/anaphylaxis during anesthesia; standard emergency agent. NCBI

17. Dexmedetomidine
    Class: Alpha-2 agonist sedative/analgesic-sparing; may reduce paralytic requirements and smooth emergence; no BChE dependency. NCBI

18. Rocuronium “priming” strategies
    Role: When rapid intubation is needed, clinicians may choose higher rocuronium dosing and plan sugammadex reversal, avoiding succinylcholine entirely. FDA Access Data

19. Neuromuscular monitoring as a “drug adjunct”
    Role: Not a drug, but essential to ensure the chosen agent’s depth and recovery are appropriate; reduces residual paralysis risk. NCBI

20. Avoidance protocols for succinylcholine/mivacurium
    Role: Standing order sets and alerts act like a “therapeutic” safety net to prevent accidental exposure. NCBI

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Dietary molecular supplements

Reality check: No supplement treats BChE deficiency or reliably changes anesthesia risk. General nutrition supports overall recovery, but it does not replace avoiding trigger drugs or proper monitoring. Below are general-health considerations used perioperatively; none should be taken to “fix” BChE deficiency.

1. Balanced protein (e.g., whey/plant protein): Supports wound healing and muscle maintenance after surgery; does not alter BChE or anesthesia drug clearance. Discuss perioperative fasting rules with your team. Cleveland Clinic

2. Vitamin D: Commonly supplemented for general health; no specific effect on BChE. Keep within recommended ranges. Cleveland Clinic

3. Vitamin C: Antioxidant supporting wound healing; not an anesthesia antidote. Cleveland Clinic

4. Zinc: Supports tissue repair/immune function; no impact on BChE pharmacology. Cleveland Clinic

5. Omega-3 fatty acids: Cardiometabolic support; may affect bleeding in high doses—tell your anesthetist. Cleveland Clinic

6. Iron (if iron-deficient): Optimizes hemoglobin before elective surgery; unrelated to BChE. Use only if deficient. Cleveland Clinic

7. Folate/B12 (if deficient): Correcting deficiencies aids recovery; does not alter neuromuscular blocker metabolism. Cleveland Clinic

8. Electrolyte solutions (clear fluids per instructions): Hydration can support recovery; follow pre-op fasting protocols. Cleveland Clinic

9. Multivitamin: General nutrition backstop; no role in BChE activity. Cleveland Clinic

10. Avoid “enzyme-boosting” claims: No proven supplement increases BChE enough to change anesthesia management; rely on medication avoidance and monitoring. NCBI

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Immunity-booster / regenerative / stem-cell drugs

There are no approved “immunity-boosting,” regenerative, or stem-cell drugs for butyrylcholinesterase deficiency. Using such terms here would be inaccurate. Safe care focuses on avoiding succinylcholine and mivacurium, choosing alternatives, and using sugammadex or standard supportive care. NCBI+1

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Surgeries (procedures & why they’re done)

There are no surgeries that treat BChE deficiency. If surgery is needed for an unrelated reason (appendix, hernia, C-section, etc.), anesthesia is simply tailored to your condition using non-triggering agents and careful monitoring. The “procedure” that matters is planning: airway strategy, alternative neuromuscular blockers, and postoperative observation. NCBI

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Preventions

1. Tell every clinician and dentist you have BChE deficiency. NCBI

2. Wear a medical alert (bracelet/card/phone wallet). NCBI

3. Add “avoid succinylcholine and mivacurium” to your allergy list. NCBI

4. Ask for anesthesia plans that use rocuronium or vecuronium with sugammadex reversal when needed. FDA Access Data

5. Request neuromuscular monitoring during surgery. NCBI

6. Consider dibucaine number/BCHE testing if there’s a family history. ltd.aruplab.com

7. Keep copies of your anesthesia records for future teams. NCBI

8. In emergencies, mention “no succinylcholine” before intubation if you can. NCBI

9. Review meds/conditions that can lower cholinesterase activity (e.g., pregnancy, severe liver disease). FDA Access Data

10. Educate family members so they can alert clinicians if you cannot speak. NCBI

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When to see a doctor

See a clinician before any planned procedure requiring anesthesia or deep sedation so testing and an anesthesia plan are set. Seek care after any surgery if you have unusual weakness, breathing trouble, or delayed recovery. If you or a relative ever had hours-long paralysis after anesthesia, ask about dibucaine number and BCHE testing. NCBI+1

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What to eat & what to avoid

Eat/Do: Balanced diet with enough protein; iron/folate/B12 only if deficient; hydrate per pre-op instructions; follow fasting guidance exactly; keep a medication list handy.

Avoid/Be careful: Unvetted “enzyme boosters”; high-dose fish oil right before surgery (bleeding risk); alcohol excess that harms liver; hiding your diagnosis from providers; and any over-the-counter sedatives before procedures unless approved. Nutrition helps recovery but does not replace anesthesia planning. Cleveland Clinic

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1) Is this a disease I live with every day?
Mostly no; it matters during anesthesia. Day-to-day health is usually normal. The risk appears when certain drugs are given. NCBI

2) What drugs are the main triggers?
Succinylcholine and mivacurium—because they rely on plasma cholinesterase for quick breakdown. FDA Access Data+1

3) What’s the safe alternative to succinylcholine for rapid intubation?
Rocuronium (often with a plan for sugammadex reversal) is commonly used instead. FDA Access Data

4) How is the diagnosis confirmed?
With enzyme activity testing and the dibucaine number; genetic testing can identify BCHE variants. ltd.aruplab.com+1

5) What happens if I accidentally get succinylcholine?
You’ll likely need ventilation and sedation until the drug wears off; most people recover fully as it clears. Thai Journal Online

6) Is there a pill to fix it?
No daily medicine corrects BChE deficiency. Safety comes from avoiding triggers and using alternatives. NCBI

7) Do supplements help?
No supplement reliably changes anesthesia risk. Nutrition supports general recovery only. Cleveland Clinic

8) Can this be acquired, not inherited?
Yes. Pregnancy, severe liver disease, certain drugs, and illnesses can lower enzyme activity. FDA Access Data

9) Are ester local anesthetics a problem?
Some depend on plasma cholinesterase; clinicians may prefer amide locals (e.g., lidocaine) when appropriate. OUP Academic

10) Is sugammadex an antidote for succinylcholine?
No. Sugammadex reverses rocuronium/vecuronium, not succinylcholine. FDA Access Data

11) Could fresh frozen plasma (FFP) shorten paralysis?
FFP contains cholinesterase and has been used in select cases, but supportive ventilation is standard. NCBI

12) What is the “dibucaine number”?
It’s how strongly dibucaine inhibits your enzyme. Low numbers suggest atypical enzyme and higher risk. ltd.aruplab.com+1

13) Are volatile anesthetics safe?
Yes, but they can potentiate nondepolarizer blockade—so clinicians adjust doses and monitor closely. FDA Access Data

14) Can children have BChE deficiency?
Yes. It’s genetic; anesthesia teams plan accordingly. Sugammadex labeling has evolved to include pediatric use updates. FDA Access Data

15) Where can I read official drug details?
See FDA labels for succinylcholine, mivacurium, and sugammadex; they spell out warnings, dosing, and indications. FDA Access Data+2FDA Access Data+2

Disclaimer: Each person’s journey is unique, treatment plan, life style, food habit, hormonal condition, immune system, chronic disease condition, geological location, weather and previous medical  history is also unique. So always seek the best advice from a qualified medical professional or health care provider before trying any treatments to ensure to find out the best plan for you. This guide is for general information and educational purposes only. Regular check-ups and awareness can help to manage and prevent complications associated with these diseases conditions. If you or someone are suffering from this disease condition bookmark this website or share with someone who might find it useful! Boost your knowledge and stay ahead in your health journey. We always try to ensure that the content is regularly updated to reflect the latest medical research and treatment options. Thank you for giving your valuable time to read the article.

The article is written by Team RxHarun and reviewed by the Rx Editorial Board Members

Last Updated: November 07, 2025.

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