Dosing and uses of Mytelase (ambenonium)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
tablet
- 10mg
Myasthenia Gravis
Discontinued by manufacturer (6/25/2012)
Initial: 5 mg PO q6-8hr
Maintenance: 15-100 mg/day, usual 40 mg/day
Up to 50-75 mg PO q6-8hr used
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
tablet
- 10mg
Myasthenia Gravis
Discontinued by manufacturer (6/25/2012)
Initial: 0.3 mg/kg/day divided q6-8hr PO
Maintenance: 1.5 mg/kg/day divided q6-8hr PO
Mytelase (ambenonium) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Urinary urgency
Salivation
Vomiting
Nausea
Diarrhea
Lacrimation, miosis
Increased bronchial secretions
Increased diaphoresis
Urinary urgency
Muscle cramps
Fasciculations
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Mechanical obstruction of intestinal or urinary tracts
Concurrent administration with belladona derivatives or ganglionic blocking agents such as mecamylamine
Cautions
May develop anticholinergic insensitivity (withhold or reduce dosages until the patient becomes sensitive again
Use caution in patients intestinal obstruction, asthma, urinary tract obstruction, or Parkinson's disease
Narrow therapeutic index may increase risk of overdosage
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown/not recommended
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Mytelase (ambenonium)
Mechanism of action
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor; prevents hydrolysis of acetylcholine and increases its concentration at transmission sites in parasympathetic neurons and skeletal muscles
Absorption
Poor oral absorption
Onset: 20-30 min
Duration: 4-8 hr
