Edrophonium (Injection)

Edrophonium (Injection) is used to help diagnose myasthenia gravis, which is a condition that causes severe muscle weakness. It may also be used to choose the right treatment for this disease. Additionally, it is used to reverse the effects of certain muscle relaxants, like gallamine and tubocurarine, during surgery or if there has been an overdose of the muscle relaxant. Edrophonium is an anticholinesterase agent.

This medicine must be given only by a doctor or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Your doctor will closely monitor the progress of you or your child while receiving this medicine. This will help your doctor determine if the medicine is effective and decide if you should continue treatment.

The stopper of the vial contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex), which may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex. Inform your doctor if you or your child have a latex allergy before starting this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical help. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you experience itching, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat while receiving this medicine.

In deciding to use a medicine, it is important to consider the risks against the benefits. This decision is made between you and your doctor. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies conducted so far have not shown any specific problems in children that would limit the use of edrophonium injection.

Geriatric

There is no information available on how age affects the effects of edrophonium injection in older patients.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When receiving this medicine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential importance and are not necessarily complete.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or the frequency of one or both medicines.

• Amifampridine
• Bupropion
• Donepezil

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Allergy to sulfites, history of—May cause severe allergic reactions.

• Asthma or other breathing problems, history of or
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate) or
• Heart rhythm problems—Use with caution. May worsen these conditions.

• Bladder blockage (unable to urinate) or
• Bowel blockage (unable to have a stool) or
• Kidney blockage (unable to urinate)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Chest pain or discomfort
• dizziness
• fainting
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• increased frequency of urination
• increased sweating
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• loss of bladder control
• muscle twitches that are visible under the skin
• seizures
• slurred speech
• trouble breathing
• trouble speaking
• unusual tiredness

Some side effects may happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach cramps
• constricted pupils (black part of the eye)
• diarrhea
• double vision
• hoarseness
• increased salivation
• muscle weakness
• nausea
• redness of the white part of the eyes or inside of the eyelids
• sore throat
• vomiting
• watering of the eyes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Enlon
• Reversol

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Diagnostic Agent, Myasthenia Gravis

Pharmacologic Class: Cholinesterase Inhibitor

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.