Edrophonium

Systematic (IUPAC) name
N-ethyl-3-hydroxy-N,N-dimethylbenzenaminium
Identifiers
CAS number	116-38-1
ATC code	none
PubChem	8307
DrugBank	APRD00944
ChemSpider	8006
Chemical data
Formula	C10H16NO+
Mol. mass	166.24 g/mol
SMILES	eMolecules & PubChem
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	?
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Edrophonium is a readily reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It prevents breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, mainly at the neuromuscular junction. It is sold under the trade names Tensilon, Enlon and Reversol.

[edit] Clinical uses

Because its duration of action is only about 20 minutes, edrophonium (by the so-called Tensilon test) 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 by effectively supplying more acetylcholine. In a cholinergic crisis, where a person has too much neuromuscular stimulation, edrophonium will make the muscle weakness worse by inducing a depolarizing block.

[edit] Sources

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

v • d • e Parasympathomimetics / cholinergic agonists / acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (N06DA, N07AA) Direct (at receptor) muscarinic: Muscarine  · Oxotremorine  · M1 (Vedaclidine • Xanomeline)  · M3 (Bethanechol, Pilocarpine, Arecoline, Cevimeline, Aceclidine, Alvameline)  · Methacholine nicotinic: Nicotine (low doses) · Lobeline · Varenicline · Epibatidine  · Dimethylphenylpiperazinium M & N: Acetylcholine/Choline alfoscerate · Carbachol Indirect/AIs (in synapse) Reversible very short acting: Edrophonium carbamates/stigmine: Ambenonium · Rivastigmine · Distigmine · tertiary/CNS (Physostigmine) · quaternary/peripheral (Neostigmine, Pyridostigmine) anti-dementia (Galantamine, Donepezil, Tacrine) Irreversible/ organophosphate ophthalmological (Ecothiopate, Isoflurophate, Demecarium) antiparasitic (Malathion, Metrifonate) chemical warfare (see Nerve agent)

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