Ambenonium (as ambenonium dichloride, trade name Mytelase) is a

cholinesterase inhibitor Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), also known as anti-cholinesterase, are chemicals that prevent the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine or butyrylcholine. This increases the amount of the acetylcholine or butyrylcholine in the syn ...

used in the management of

myasthenia gravis Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a long-term neuromuscular junction disease that leads to varying degrees of skeletal muscle weakness. The most commonly affected muscles are those of the eyes, face, and swallowing. It can result in double vision, dro ...

. It is classified as reversible.

Mechanism of action

Ambenonium exerts its actions against

by competitive reversible inhibition of

acetylcholinesterase Acetylcholinesterase (HGNC symbol ACHE; EC 3.1.1.7; systematic name acetylcholine acetylhydrolase), also known as AChE, AChase or acetylhydrolase, is the primary cholinesterase in the body. It is an enzyme Enzymes () are proteins that a ...

, the enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of acetylcholine. Myasthenia gravis occurs when the body produces antibodies against acetylcholine receptors, and thus inhibits signal transmission across the neuromuscular junction. Ambenonium reversibly binds acetylcholinesterase, inactivates it and therefore increases levels of acetylcholine. This, in turn, facilitates transmission of impulses across the myoneural junction and effectively treats the disease.

Indications

Ambenonium is used to treat muscle weakness due to disease or defect of the neuromuscular junction (

). Ambenonium was withdrawn from the market in the United States in 2010.

References

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Chloroarenes Quaternary ammonium compounds Carboxamides Chlorides Bisquaternary anticholinesterases {{nervous-system-drug-stub