Edrophonium Chloride(ed roe foe’ nee um)
Enlon, Reversol
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Antidote
Cholinesterase inhibitor (anticholinesterase)
Diagnostic agent
Muscle stimulant
Therapeutic Actions
Increases the concentration of acetylcholine at the sites of cholinergic transmission; prolongs and exaggerates the effects of acetylcholine by reversibly inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, facilitating transmission at the skeletal neuromuscular junction.
Indications
Differential diagnosis and adjunct in evaluating treatment of myasthenia gravis
Antidote for nondepolarizing neuromuscular junction blockers (eg curare, tubocurarine) after surgery
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to anticholinesterases, intestinal or urogenital tract obstruction, peritonitis, sulfite sensitivity, lactation.
Use cautiously with asthma, peptic ulcer, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, recent coronary occlusion, vagotonia, hyperthyroidism, epilepsy, pregnancy near term.
Available Forms
Injection—10 mg/mL
Dosages
Adults
IM
Differential diagnosis of myasthenia gravis: If veins are inaccessible, inject 10 mg IM. Patients who demonstrate cholinergic reaction (see table) should be retested with 2 mg IM after 30 min to rule out false-negative results.
IV
Differential diagnosis of myasthenia gravis: Prepare tuberculin syringe containing 10 mg edrophonium with IV needle. Inject 2 mg IV in 15–30 sec; leave needle in vein. If no reaction occurs after 45 sec, inject the remaining 8 mg. If a cholinergic reaction (parasympathomimetic effects, muscle fasciculations, or increased muscle weakness) occurs after 2 mg, discontinue the test, and administer atropine sulfate 0.4–0.5 mg IV. May repeat test after 30 min.
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