Drugs for Neuromuscular Disorders and Muscle Spasms Flashcards
An acquired autoimmune disease that impairs the transmission of messages at the neuro-muscular junction, resulting in fluctuating muscle weakness that increases with muscle use
Myasthenia Gravis
A neuromuscular autoimmune disorder that attacks the myelin sheath of nerve fibers, causing lesions know as plaques
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle contractions resulting from various causes, including injury or motor neuron disorders
Muscle spasms
Agents that reduce spasticity of muscles
Muscle relaxants
Occurs when muscular weakness in the patient with myasthenia gravis becomes generalized
Myasthenic crisis
Overdosing with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; may complicate myasthenia gravis
Cholinergic crisis
Involuntary muscle twitching
Fasciculations
Why is thymectomy used to treat Myasthenia Gravis?
It is thought that the thymus is the source of the antibodies that are destroying the acetylcholine receptors.
What are characteristics of Myasthenia Gravis?
Skeletal muscle weakness, fatigue, ptosis, dysphagia, dysarthria, respiratory muscle weakness.
Myasthenic crisis can be caused by:
Not enough medication, stress, menses, pregnancy, surgery, trauma, low K levels, temperature extremes, alcohol.
The drug of choice for myasthenic crisis is:
Neostigmine
Cholinergic crisis is caused by:
Too much medication (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor)
Cholinergic crisis is treated with:
Atropine
Which drug can be used to differentiate between myasthenic and cholinergic crisis?
Edrophonium
Patients with Myasthenia Gravis who do not respond to anticholinesterase inhibitors may:
Undergo plasma exchange. They may also be given Intravenous immune globulin or immunosuppressive drugs.
