Succinylcholine is a preferred muscle relaxant for rapid sequence intubation. Postoperative myalgia (POM) is one of its commonest adverse effects with unknown pathogenesis. Various modalities were examined to reduce POM. We hypothesized that duloxetine may reduce incidence and severity of fasciculation or succinylcholine‐induced POM in outpatient surgeries.

METHODS

This randomized double‐blinded trial involved controlled 70 adult participants scheduled for elective direct microlaryngoscopic surgeries. Before induction of general anesthesia by 2 hours, 35 patients received duloxetine 30mg orally (Group‐D) and 35 patients received similar oral starch placebo capsules (Group‐C). Fasciculations, POM, sedation score, time to first rescue analgesia, total analgesic consumption 24 hours after surgery, patients’ satisfaction, and adverse effects were recorded.