Tensilon and the Diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis: Are We Using the Tensilon Test Too Much?
- 1 September 2001
- journal article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in The Neurologist
- Vol. 7 (5), 295-299
- https://doi.org/10.1097/00127893-200109000-00004
Abstract
BACKGROUND— Tensilon (edrophonium chloride) is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias, detection of early digitalis toxicity, reversal of neuromuscular blockade, and other medical conditions. Toxicity associated with Tensilon use has appeared in the literature for decades. REVIEW SUMMARY— This review discusses the risks of Tensilon and the information practitioners should know before administering the drug. We review the literature regarding serious toxicity of this drug and offer recommendations for its safe use. CONCLUSIONS— A careful medication history should be taken before the administration of Tensilon. Additionally, physicians should be aware of appropriate alternative methods of diagnosis before choosing to administer Tensilon. Physicians should be aware of the clinical situations where the Tensilon test no longer is indicated.Keywords
This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit:
- The complication rate of edrophonium testing for suspected myasthenia gravisCanadian Journal of Ophthalmology, 2000
- Clinical pharmacology of neuromuscular blocking agentsAmerican Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 1999
- Myasthenia GravisNew England Journal of Medicine, 1994
- The Tensilon TestOphthalmology, 1980
- Cardiac Arrest After Edrophonium Therapy of Supraventricular TachycardiaSouthern Medical Journal, 1976
- Supraventricular TachyarrhythmiasArchives of Internal Medicine, 1972
- Cardiac arrest during edrophonium administrationAmerican Heart Journal, 1971
- Use of edrophonium chloride (Tensilon) to detect early digitalis toxicityThe American Journal of Cardiology, 1966
- Use of edrophonium (Tensilon) in the evaluation of supraventricular tachycardiasThe American Journal of Cardiology, 1966
- RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR MYASTHENIA GRAVISJournal of the American Medical Association, 1952