ANTIMYASTHENIC DRUGS
MECHANISM OF ACTION
- Relieve muscle weakness associated with myasthenia gravis
- By blocking acetylcholine breakdown at the neuromuscular junction
INDICATIONS
- Edrophonium diagnoses myasthenic gravis
- Edrophonium also distinguishes cholinergic crisis from myasthenic crisis
- Neostigmine and pyridostigmine control myasthenic gravis symptoms
- Test acetylcholine receptor antibodies
- Used to treat or diagnose myasthenic gravis
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
SIDE EFFECTS
ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION
CONTRA- INDICATIONS
STORAGE CONDITIONS
- Hypersensitivity
- Diarrhea, sweating
- Nausea, vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Increased salivation and increased bronchial secretions
- Orally
- Edrophonium is contraindicated in bromide allergy
EXAMPLES
- Ambenonium chloride (Myetelase)
- Edrophonium (Tensilon)
- Neostigmine (Prostigmin)
- Pyridostigmine (Mestinon)
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
- Keep from freezing.
- Neostigmine/pyridostigmine may be given by injection as an antidote to certain types of muscle relaxants used in surgery
- Intramuscularly
- Intravenously