<p>Suxamethonium should be administered only by or under close supervision of an anesthetist familiar with its action, characteristics and hazards, who is skilled in the management of artificial respiration and only where there are adequate facilities for immediate endotracheal intubation with administration of oxygen by intermittent positive pressure ventilation. The elderly may be more susceptible to cardiac arrhythmias, especially if digitalis-like drugs are also being taken.</p>