Chemical structure of edrophonium
Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Edrophonium

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. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
E
E-Base
Ecstasy (drug)
Edecrin
Edrophonium
Edrophonium chloride
Efavirenz
Effexor
Eflornithine
Elavil
Eldepryl
Elidel
Eligard
Elitek
Elixomin
Elixophyllin
Ellagic acid
Elmiron
Eloxatin
Elspar
Emtriva
Emylcamate
Enalapril
Enalaprilat
Enalaprilat
Endep
Enflurane
Enoxaparin sodium
Entacapone
Enulose
Epi-pen
Epinephrine
Epirubicin
Epitol
Epivir
Epogen
Eprosartan
Ergocalciferol
Ergoloid Mesylates
Ergotamine
Eryc
Eryped
Erythromycin
Esgic
Eskalith
Esmolol
Estazolam
Estazolam
Estrace
Estraderm
Estradiol
Estradiol
Estradiol valerate
Estring
Estrogel
Estrone
Estrostep
Ethacridine
Ethambutol
Ethchlorvynol
Ethosuximide
Ethotoin
Etiracetam
Etodolac
Etopophos
Etoposide
Etorphine
Evista
Exelon
Exemestane
Hexal Australia
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Clinical uses

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.

Edrophonium is available under the trade names Enlon (AstraZeneca), Reversol, and Tensilon.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Tensilon test
From Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 4/6/01 by Richard Robinson

Definition

Tensilon is the trade name for edrophonium chloride. The Tensilon test is an injection of edrophonium chloride used to diagnosis myasthenia gravis (MG).

Purpose

Tensilon blocks the action of an enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, an important part of the system regulating neuromusclular transmission. To stimulate a muscle, a nerve cell (neuron) releases the chemical acetylcholine. To prevent prolonged muscle response to a single nerve signal, acetylcholine is broken down by acetylcholinesterase after the muscle is stimulated.

In myasthenia gravis, there are too few receptors for acetylcholine on the muscle. The acetylcholine is broken down before it can fully stimulate this reduced number of receptors, and, as a result, the muscle is weak. By blocking the action of acetylcholinesterase, Tensilon prolongs the muscle stimulation, and temporarily improves strength. Increased strength following an injection of Tensilon strongly suggests a dignosis of MG. The Tensilon test is most effective when easily observed weakness is present, and is less useful for vague or fluctuating complaints.

Precautions

The Tensilon test may cause heart rhythm abnormalities, especially in those patients with preexisting conditions.

Description

The Tensilon test involves the intravenous injection of a small amount of Tensilon. The needle is left in place. If no adverse reaction is observed within 30 seconds, an additional volume is injected. Results are apparent within one minute.

Preparation

Before the test, the patient must stop taking all drugs that can inhibit acetylcholinesterase. The referring physician can advise on specific drugs the patient is taking.

Aftercare

The effects of Tensilon subside quickly, and are completely gone after 30-60 minutes. No aftercare is needed.

Risks

Atrial fibrillation and bradycardia are possible in sensitive individuals. The administering physician must have appropriate resuscitative equipment available.

Normal results

In a patient without MG, the Tensilon test will not produce an obvious increase in a previously weak muscle. Some subjective feelings of increased strength are possible but not significant.

Abnormal results

An obvious increase in strength in weakened muscles strongly suggests the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. The effect comes on very rapidly, and fades within minutes.

Key Terms

Acetylcholine
a molecule released by neurons at the neuromuscular junction that causes muscle contraction.

Further Reading

For Your Information

    Organizations

  • Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1540, Chicago, IL 60606. (800) 541-5454. http://www.med.unc.edu/mfga/.
  • Muscular Dystrophy Association. 3300 East Sunrise Dr., Tucson, AZ 85718. (520) 529-2000, (800) 572-1717. http://www.mdausa.org.

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Gale Research, 1999.

Return to Edrophonium
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay