Effect of Tensilon in Myasthenia Gravis

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Abstract
A series of patients with myasthenia gravis were given intraven. injns. of 10 mg. of 3-hydroxy phenyldimethylethyl-ammonium chloride (Ro 2-3198, Tensilon) and all demonstrated definite and sometimes dramatic increase in strength, the max. improvement occurring between 1 and 10 min. and decreasing thereafter over a period of 60 mins. Tensilon has been shown to exert its effect in myasthenia gravis regardless of the presence or absentee of premedication with atropine, neostigmine, tetraethyl pyrophosphate, ephedrine or potassium salts. Side effects of intraven Tensilon appeared to be minimal and transitory, consisting of distorted vision, lacrimation, muscle twitching, perspiration, mild gastrointestinal stimulation, slight fall in blood pressure and pulse rate, and in some cases, dizziness. Some of these effects appeared to be ameliorated by premedication with atropine. Oral and intramusc. injns. of Tensilon were also given with improvement, but without the striking results observed with the intraven. injns.