Gallamine is a synthetic non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent belonging to the bis-quaternary ammonium class. It produces skeletal-muscle relaxation by competitively blocking acetylcholine at nicotinic receptors at the neuromuscular junction.
Gallamine is primarily known in its salt form gallamine triethiodide and was historically used as an adjunct to general anesthesia to provide skeletal-muscle relaxation during surgical procedures.
Gallamine is a specialized pharmaceutical active ingredient associated with neuromuscular blockade and anesthetic research. It is a quaternary ammonium compound and acts as a competitive antagonist at the motor end-plate nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
CAS Number: 65-29-2
Molecular Formula: C30H60I3N3O3
Molecular Weight: 891.55 g/mol
Common Form: Gallamine Triethiodide
Drug Class: Non-depolarizing Neuromuscular Blocker
Therapeutic Class: Skeletal Muscle Relaxant
Therapeutic Area: Anesthesiology
Gallamine produces neuromuscular blockade by competitively antagonizing acetylcholine at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors located at the neuromuscular junction. By preventing acetylcholine from activating the motor end plate, it inhibits transmission of nerve impulses to skeletal muscle and produces muscle relaxation.
Gallamine has historically been used as a skeletal-muscle relaxant during general anesthesia and surgical procedures. It is primarily of historical and research interest today because newer neuromuscular blocking agents have largely replaced it in routine clinical practice.
Gallamine triethiodide is the tri-iodide salt of gallamine. The salt contains three iodide counterions associated with the triply quaternized gallamine molecule. It is the form most commonly identified in pharmaceutical and chemical reference databases.
Gallamine triethiodide is a highly polar, quaternary ammonium compound. Its molecular formula is C30H60I3N3O3 and molecular weight is approximately 891.55 g/mol. The presence of permanently charged quaternary ammonium groups contributes to its water solubility.
Gallamine API quality evaluation may include identification by IR and HPLC, assay, related substances, water content, residue on ignition, inorganic impurities, elemental impurity testing and other applicable pharmaceutical quality-control tests.
Gallamine should be stored in a tightly closed container under controlled pharmaceutical storage conditions and protected from excessive heat, moisture and direct light. Specific storage conditions should follow the applicable validated stability data and material-specific CoA.
Gallamine remains relevant to research involving neuromuscular transmission, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and competitive neuromuscular blockade. Its pharmacological profile has also contributed to the development and understanding of non-depolarizing skeletal-muscle relaxants.
Gallamine, commonly encountered as gallamine triethiodide, is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent. It is identified by CAS Number 65-29-2, molecular formula C30H60I3N3O3, and molecular weight 891.55 g/mol. It has historically been used as a skeletal-muscle relaxant during anesthesia and is now primarily relevant to specialized pharmaceutical and research applications.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder |
| Identification | IR & HPLC compliant |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.0% – 102.0% |
| Loss on Drying | ≤2.0% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.5% |
| Heavy Metals | NMT 20 ppm |
| pH (1% Solution) | 5.0 – 7.0 |
| Individual Impurity | NMT 0.5% |
| Total Impurities | NMT 2.0% |
| Water Content | NMT 2.0% |