. Edrophonium use and adverse

It is used in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, which is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies to the nicotinic receptor at NMJs. This causes their degradation, making fewer receptors available for interaction with the neurotransmitter. Intravenous injection of edrophonium leads to a rapid increase in muscle strength. Care must be taken, because excess drug may provoke a cholinergic crisis (atropine is the antidote). Increased parasympathetic effects, especially nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary urgency. Edrophonium may also be used to assess cholinesterase inhibitor therapy, for differentiating cholinergic and myasthenic crises, and for reversing the effects of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers after surgery. Due to the availability of other agents, edrophonium use has become limited.