How long does the effect of succinylcholine typically last?

Succinylcholine is a neuromuscular blocker that has a rapid onset and a short duration of action. The typical effect of succinylcholine lasts around 2 to 3 minutes. This brief duration is primarily due to its rapid metabolism by plasma cholinesterase, allowing for quick recovery of neuromuscular function after administration. This characteristic is particularly advantageous during procedures where rapid intubation and short-term paralysis are needed, such as in emergency or surgical settings.

The other options reflect durations that do not accurately represent the pharmacokinetics of succinylcholine. A duration of 30 seconds would be too brief for most clinical applications, while 1 minute is also generally shorter than the average effect. A duration of 5 minutes exceeds the typical timeframe for the action of succinylcholine, which is clinically significant when considering the timing of patient recovery and the planning of subsequent interventions. Therefore, recognizing that succinylcholine's effects last around 2 minutes is critical for effective patient management during sedation or anesthesia.