Distigmine (as distigmine bromide) is a

parasympathomimetic A parasympathomimetic drug, sometimes called a cholinomimetic drug or cholinergic receptor stimulating agent, is a substance that stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). These chemicals are also called cholinergic drugs becaus ...

. Distigmine is similar to

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 also used off-label to t ...

and

neostigmine Neostigmine, sold under the brand name Bloxiverz, among others, is a medication used to treat myasthenia gravis, Ogilvie syndrome, and urinary retention without the presence of a blockage. It is also used in anaesthesia to end the effects of n ...

but has a longer duration of action. It is available as tablets on prescription only. It is commonly used to treat various conditions, including myasthenia gravis and underactive bladder. Distigmine has a greater risk of causing

cholinergic crisis A cholinergic crisis is an over-stimulation at a neuromuscular junction due to an excess of acetylcholine, as a result of the inactivity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, which normally breaks down acetylcholine. Signs and symptoms As a resul ...

because of accumulation of the drug being more likely than with neostigmine or pyridostigmine and so distigmine is rarely used as a treatment for myasthenia gravis, unlike pyridostigmine and neostigmine.

References

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Biscarbamates Pyridinium compounds Bisquaternary anticholinesterases Aromatic carbamates {{nervous-system-drug-stub