Pyridostigmine

Administration

  • Type: Neostimine analogue, cholinesterase inhibitor
  • Dosage Forms: oral immediate or extended release, IV
  • Routes of Administration: IV, PO
  • Common Trade Names:
  • As opposed to physostigmine, pyridostigmine does not cross the blood brain barrier, and is thus a poor agent for agitation and CNS complications

Adult Dosing

Pediatric Dosing

Special Populations

Contraindications

  • Allergy to class/drug
  • Mechanical bowel or urinary obstruction

Adverse Reactions

Serious

Common

  • Nausea/vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea
  • Muscle cramps, fasciculation, asthenia
  • Increased bronchial and salivary secretions

Pharmacology

  • Half-life: 3 minutes (IV), 200 minutes (oral)
  • Metabolism:
  • Excretion: Renal

Mechanism of Action

  • Neostigmine analogue; competitive cholinesterase inhibitor→ less acetylcholine breakdown→ more available acetylcholine in synapses

Comments

See Also

References