Pyridostigmine
Pyridostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used mainly for myasthenia gravis.
Key points
- Too little and too much cholinergic effect can both cause weakness.
- Diarrhoea, sweating, secretions and slow heart rate can signal excess effect.
- Breathing or swallowing weakness is an emergency.
Listings are for comparison and general information; suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, monitoring and prescription requirements.
Important safety checks
Breathing and swallowing status, heart rhythm, asthma, bowel or urinary obstruction and interacting medicines require review.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, inability to swallow, rapidly worsening weakness, severe secretions, fainting or a very slow heartbeat.