Edrophonium is a readily reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It prevents breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and acts by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, mainly at the neuromuscular junction. It is sold under the trade names Tensilon®, Enlon® and Reversol®.

Clinical uses

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Because its duration of action is only about 10 minutes, edrophonium is used to differentiate myasthenic crisis from cholinergic crisis. In myasthenic crisis, where a person is not able to produce enough neuromuscular stimulation, edrophonium will reduce the muscle weakness. In a cholinergic crisis, where a person has too much neuromuscular stimulation, edrophonium will make the muscle weakness worse.

Sources

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1. Brenner, G. M. (2000). Pharmacology. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-7757-6
2. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2000). Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (25th ed.). Toronto, ON: Webcom. ISBN 0-919115-76-4

Anticholinesterases