Treatments for Myasthenia Gravis

Treatment list for Myasthenia Gravis:

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Myasthenia Gravis includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

• Medications
  • Neurotransmitter stimulants
  • Anticholinesterase agents
  • Pyridostigmine
  • Immunosuppressants
  • Prednisone
  • Cyclosporine
  • Azathioprine
  • Edrophonium
• Thymectomy
• Plasmapheresis
• High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin
• Lifestyle changes
  • Balanced diet
  • High-potassium diet
  • Avoid overexertion
  • Daily rest periods
  • Resting eyes

Treatments of Myasthenia Gravis: Online Medical Books

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Myasthenia gravis: Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Treatment is symptomatic. Anticholinesterase drugs, such as neostigmine and pyridostigmine, counteract fatigue and muscle weakness and allow about 80% of normal muscle function. However, these drugs become less effective as the disease worsens. Corticosteroids may relieve symptoms. Immunosuppressants are also used. Plasmapheresis is used in severe myasthenic exacerbation.

Patients with thymomas require thymectomy, which may cause remission in some cases of adult-onset myasthenia. Acute exacerbations that cause severe respiratory distress necessitate emergency treatment. Tracheotomy, positive-pressure ventilation, and vigorous suctioning to remove secretions usually produce improvement in a few days. Because anticholinesterase drugs aren’t effective in myasthenic crisis, they’re stopped until respiratory function improves. Myasthenic crisis requires immediate hospitalization and vigorous respiratory support.

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Myasthenia gravis: Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)

Treatment for myasthenia gravis is aimed at relieving symptoms. Anticholinesterases, such as neostigmine and pyridostigmine, improve communication between nerve and muscle, counteract fatigue and muscle weakness, and allow about 80% of normal muscle function. However, these drugs become less effective as the disease worsens. Decreasing the immune response toward acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction is the goal of immunosuppressant therapy. Corticosteroids, azathioprine, cyclosporine, and cyclophosphamide are used in a progressive fashion (when the previous drug response is poor, the next one is used). To suppress the immune system during acute relapses, gamma globulin may also be used. Plasmapheresis is used to treat severe exacerbations or to quickly improve symptoms (for example, preoperatively).

Patients with thymomas require a thymectomy, which may cause remission in some cases of adult-onset myasthenia. Acute exacerbations that cause severe respiratory distress necessitate emergency treatment. Tracheotomy, positive-pressure ventilation, and vigorous suctioning to remove secretions usually produce improvement in a few days.

Because anticholinesterases aren’t effective in patients with myasthenic crisis, they’re stopped until respiratory function improves. Myasthenic crisis requires immediate hospitalization and vigorous respiratory support.

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Medications used to treat Myasthenia Gravis:

Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis include:

• Neostigmine
• PMS-Neostigmine
• Prostigmin
• Pyridostigmine
• Anaplex SR
• Mestinon-SR
• Mestinon Timespan
• Regonol
• Ambenonium
• Mytelase
• Collagenase
• Santyl
• Cyclophosphamide
• Cytoxan
• Procytox
• Genoxal
• Ledoxina
• Gengraf
• Apo-Cyclosporine
• Rhoxal-Cyclosporine
• Edrophonium
• Enlon
• Reversol

Unlabelled alternative drug treatments include:

• Triamcinolone
• Amcort
• Artistocort
• Aristospan
• Articulose LA
• Cenocort Forte
• Cenocort
• Kenalog
• Kenalog IN
• Kenaject
• Tristoject
• Kenalone
• TAC-D
• TAC-40
• Triam-A
• Triam-Forte
• Triamolone 40
• Tri-Kort
• Trilog
• Immune Globulin (intravenous)
• Carimune
• Carimune NF
• Flebogamma
• Gamimune N
• Gammagard S/D
• Gammar-P
• Gamunex
• Iveegam EN
• Octagam
• Panglobulin
• Panglobulin NF
• Polygam S/D
• Iveegam Immuno
• Cilax
• Intacglobin
• Sandoblobulina

Medical news summaries about treatments for Myasthenia Gravis:

The following medical news items are relevant to treatment of Myasthenia Gravis:

• Autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction

Discussion of treatments for Myasthenia Gravis:

NINDS Myasthenia Gravis Information Page: NINDS (Excerpt)

Myasthenia gravis can be controlled. Some medications improve neuromuscular transmission and increase muscle strength, and some suppress the production of abnormal antibodies. These medications must be used with careful medical followup because they may cause major side effects. Thymectomy, the surgical removal of the thymus gland, improves symptoms in certain patients and may cure some individuals. Other therapies include plasmapheresis, a procedure in which abnormal antibodies are removed from the blood, and high-dose intravenous immune globulin, which temporarily modifies the immune system and provides the body with normal antibodies from donated blood . (Source: excerpt from NINDS Myasthenia Gravis Information Page: NINDS)

MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Today, MG is well-controlled. Therapies include medications such as anticholinesterase agents, prednisone, cyclosporine and azathioprine. Other treatments include thymectomy, the surgical removal of the thymus gland; plasmapheresis, a procedure in which abnormal antibodies are removed from blood plasma; and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin that modifies the immune system. A physician will determine which treatment option is best for each patient depending on the severity of the weakness, which muscles are affected, and the patient’s age and other associated medical problems.

With treatment, most MG patients will have excellent improvement of their muscle weakness. In some patients, MG, like many other autoimmune diseases, may go into remission and muscle weakness may disappear completely. In a few cases, MG may cause severe weakness resulting in acute respiratory failure; however, most patients can expect to lead normal or nearly normal lives. (Source: excerpt from MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: NWHIC)

MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Plenty of rest and a well balanced, potassium-rich diet can help alleviate fatigue. It is important for persons with MG to avoid overexertion, and if necessary, to rest the eyes or to lie down briefly a few times a day. (Source: excerpt from MYASTHENIA GRAVIS: NWHIC)

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