Pyridostigmine

Pyridostigmine is a medication used to treat myasthenia gravis and underactive bladder. It is also used together with atropine to end the effects of neuromuscular blocking medication of the non-depolarizing type. It is typically given by mouth but can also be used by injection. The effects generally begin within 45 minutes and last up to 6 hours.

Not to be confused with Physostigmine.
Pyridostigmine
Clinical data
Trade namesMestinon, others
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa682229
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: C
Routes of
administration		By mouth, intravenous
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability7.6 +/- 2.4%
Elimination half-life1.78 +/- 0.24hrs
Excretionkidney
Identifiers
  • 3-[(dimethylcarbamoyl)oxy]-1-methylpyridinium
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC9H13N2O2
Molar mass181.215 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • O=C(Oc1ccc[n+](c1)C)N(C)C
  • InChI=1S/C9H13N2O2/c1-10(2)9(12)13-8-5-4-6-11(3)7-8/h4-7H,1-3H3/q+1 Y
  • Key:RVOLLAQWKVFTGE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
  (verify)

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, frequent urination, and abdominal pain. More severe side effects include low blood pressure, weakness, and allergic reactions. It is unclear if use in pregnancy is safe for the fetus. Pyridostigmine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor in the cholinergic family of medications. It works by blocking the action of acetylcholinesterase and therefore increases the levels of acetylcholine.

Pyridostigmine was patented in 1945 and came into medical use in 1955. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Pyridostigmine is available as a generic medication.

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