Abstract
The efficacy of intranasally administered neostigmine was tested in 22 patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). Topical therapy to the highly vascularized oropharynx proved to be quickly effective in 5-15 min both clinically and electrophysiologically. Twenty-eight MG patients were then recruited from different centres and their morning doses of oral pyridostigmine were substituted with intranasal neostigmine over a period of 2 or 3 weeks. Intranasal neostigmine proved to be equally efficacious in this regimen. No side-effect was noted even in 4 patients treated in this way for 1 year. Intranasal administration of anti-acetylcholinesterase may be very beneficial: (1) for patients with irregular absorption of oral doses; (2) early in the morning and every time a fast and temporary effect is needed; (3) in bulbar impairment and emergencies, in which a handy atomizer may be life-saving.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 165-169 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Neurology |
Volume | 239 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 1992 |
Keywords
- Autoimmunity
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Intranasal administration
- Myasthenia gravis
- Neostigmine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology