why is it risky to administer Physostigmine to all patients presenting with muscle weakness?
Unlike what Kara S has said, Physostigmine( anticholinesterase) and Amitriptyline(a tricyclic antidepressant) are two entire different drugs. OK. Physostimine is given for the relief of symptoms in a specific type of muscle weakness that occurs in Myasthenia Gravis. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. It occurs when normal communication between the nerve and muscle is interrupted at the neuromuscular junction – the place where nerve cells connect with the muscles they control. Physosigmine increase the amount of available ACh at the myoneural junction by inhibiting the degradation of ACh thereby improving muscle tone and power. If you give Physostigmine to all patient with muscle weakness, other than those with Myasthenia Gravis, it can result in what is called ‘Cholinergic crisis’ due to over-stimulation at a neuromuscular junction due to an excess of acetylcholine (ACh). As a result the muscles stop responding to the bombardment o
