Why is Edrophonium used as a diagnostic test for MG but not as a Tx?

[Zona Pellucida]

Curious as to why only "-stigmine" drugs were used for treatment when Edrophonium is also an Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor (which provides relief during the diagnostic test)...?

Just want to make sure I'm not missing some small detail. Apologies if this is a dumb question (Yes, I [briefly] tried Google first).

Thanks !

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[TooMuchResearch]

Curious as to why only "-stigmine" drugs were used for treatment when Edrophonium is also an Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor (which provides relief during the diagnostic test)...?

Just want to make sure I'm not missing some small detail. Apologies if this is a dumb question (Yes, I [briefly] tried Google first).

Thanks !

Short acting - would need to take it several times per day for tx.

 

[Zona Pellucida]

Short acting - would need to take it several times per day for tx.

Appreciate it. /thread

 

[rocketbooster]

The half life of edrophonium is <30 min.. It's literally only good to see a very brief relief of symptoms in the clinic just long enough to make the diagnosis. Neostigmine is the longer halflife and treatment one.

 

[ijn]

Not trying to be super nit picky but the preferred treatment is pyridostigmine these days.

 

[GTP]

Not trying to be super nit picky but the preferred treatment is pyridostigmine these days.

This, or neostigmine

 

[Aclamity]

This, or neostigmine

idk dude, can't really argue with his avatar

 

[Phloston]

Edrophonium's notably used in the tensilon test to Dx MG. Giving the drug mitigates the Sx of MG, as everyone else has already said.

In contrast, with the muscle contraction excitation test, MG gets worse but Lambert-Eaton gets better.

 

[GTP]

idk dude, can't really argue with his avatar

Lol

 

[Chirurg]

idk dude, can't really argue with his avatar

good one!

 

[Brotato]

Dr Raymon

 

[futuredoctor10]

Also edrophonium can be used for dosage adjustments in patients on other longer-acting anticholinesterases -- i.e. if their dose is too low (in addition to its use for diagnosis of myasthenia gravis)

 

[Morsetlis]

The above is a very useful advice. My professor spoke of dosage adjustment using Edrophonium. If the Tensilon test dramatically improves the MG symptoms of a patient that is under treatment, the treatment needs to intensify.

 

[futuredoctor10]

The above is a very useful advice. My professor spoke of dosage adjustment using Edrophonium. If the Tensilon test dramatically improves the MG symptoms of a patient that is under treatment, the treatment needs to intensify.

They should make a Step 1 question about this! Pathophysiology of myasthenia is so complex yet logical.