EDROPHONIUM CHLORIDE

Edrophonium chloride is a drug belonging to a class of medicines known as synthetic quaternary ammonium cholinergic agents. It inhibits acetylcholine hydrolysis and leads to the accumulation of acetylcholine. This further increases cholinergic response such as increased muscle tone, bronchial constriction, ureteral constriction, decreased hear rate, miosis and increased sweat and salivary secretions.

Edrophonium chloride is used in the following:

  • Diagnosis of myasthenia gravis
  • Anticholinesterase therapy evaluation
  • Cholinergic and myasthenic crisis differentiation
  • Reversal of neuromuscular blockade

Do not use in those with mechanical obstruction of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract.

Edrophonium chloride may give rise to side effects such as the following:

  • Transient bradycardia
  • Cardiac and respiratory arrest
  • Anticholinesterase insensitivity
  • Weakness
  • Seizure
  • Dysarthria
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Arrhythmia
  • Hypotension
  • AV block
  • Nonspecific ECG changes
  • Flushing
  • Syncope
  • Tachycardia
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Increased peristalsis
  • Increased gastric and intestinal secretions
  • Dysphagia
  • Dysphonia
  • Flatulence
  • Laryngospasm
  • Increased bronchial secretions
  • Bronchospasm
  • Respiratory paralysis
  • Urinary frequency
  • Urgency
  • Incontinence
  • Muscle cramps
  • Fasciculation
  • Increased lacrimation
  • Miosis
  • Accommodation spasm
  • Diplopia
  • Conjunctival hyperaemia
  • Diaphoresis
  • Rash
  • Urticaria
  • Cholinergic crisis
  • Asthma

Precautions

Take extra caution in patients with the following conditions:

  • Bronchial asthma
  • Cardiac arrhythmia (e.g. bradyarrhythmia)
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Children
  • Pregnancy and lactation

 

Interactions

Edrophonium chloride can interact with the following medicines:

  • Atropine
  • Digitalis
  • Depolarising muscle relaxants (e.g. suxamethonium, decamethonium)
  • Nondepolarising muscle relaxants (e.g. atracurium, pancuronium, vecuronium, tubocurarine, metocurine)

Edrophonium chloride overdose can start a cholinergic crisis with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive sweating, increased bronchial and salivary secretions, bradycardia or tachycardia, cardiospasm, hypotension, blurred vision, weakness, incoordination, muscle cramps, fasciculation, paralysis, bronchospasm, airway obstruction, respiratory paralysis, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrest.

Seek medical help immediately.

 

Available Brands:

  • Antirex
  • Enlon
  • Reversol
  • Anticude

Related Articles

ULTRAVIST

UsesWarningsSide EffectsPrecautionsOverdose & BrandsUses Ultravist is used in the following conditions: Radiographic Imaging: Iopromide injection is utilized to enhance the [...]

ULTRAMOX

UsesWarningsSide EffectsPrecautionsOverdose & BrandsUses Ultramox is used in the following conditions: Respiratory Infections: Amoxicillin is often used to treat respiratory [...]

ULTRALIV

UsesWarningsSide EffectsPrecautionsOverdose & BrandsUses Ultraliv is used in the following conditions: Carnitine Orotate: Carnitine orotate is a combination of L-carnitine [...]