Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria (Mar 2020)

Celebrating the 70 years of pyridostigmine on therapy of Myasthenia Gravis: historical aspects of the preliminary trials

  • Paulo José LORENZONI,
  • Cláudia Suemi Kamoi KAY,
  • Renata Dal-Prá DUCCI,
  • Otto Jesus Hernandez FUSTES,
  • Lineu Cesar WERNECK,
  • Rosana Herminia SCOLA

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282x20190189
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 78, no. 3
pp. 179 – 181

Abstract

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Abstract Currently, pyridostigmine bromide is an indispensable anticholinesterase agent used worldwide to treat patients with Myasthenia Gravis (MG). However, pyridostigmine bromide was unsuccessful in its “pioneering trials” to treat a series of MG patients. There are important historical landmarks before pyridostigmine bromide becomes useful, safe and indispensable for MG therapy. After 70 years of these “pioneering trials”, this article reviews some historical aspects related to them, as well as other preliminary trials using pyridostigmine bromide as therapy for MG patients.

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