Pseudocholinesterase Deficiency

Pseudocholinesterase (soo-doe-ko-luh-NEH-stur-ays) deficiency is a condition that makes you extremely sensitive to a specific group of anesthetic medications, known as muscle relaxants. As a result of this enzyme deficiency, you can develop prolonged side effects like temporary muscle paralysis. People with this condition can’t move or breathe on their own until the medication flushes out of their system.

It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough pseudocholinesterase — an enzyme that helps metabolize (break down) medications (called choline esters) used during general anesthesia. Succinylcholine and mivacurium are two of the most common choline esters used for anesthesia.

How common is pseudocholinesterase deficiency?

Pseudocholinesterase deficiency is uncommon. It affects about 1 out of every 3,200 to 5,000 people in the general population.