Question

The short-acting anticholinesterase drug is:

• A. Physostigmine
• B. Edrophonium
• C. Ecothiophate
• D. Neostigmine

Hint:

Edrophonium is the go-to drug for diagnosing myasthenia gravis due to its short duration of action and rapid onset.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding anticholinesterase drugs. Anticholinesterase drugs inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, thereby increasing the levels of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft. They are classified based on their duration of action into short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting drugs.

Step 2: Characteristics of Edrophonium. Edrophonium is a short-acting anticholinesterase drug with a rapid onset and brief duration of action (around 10-20 minutes). It is primarily used in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis due to its quick effect. 

Step 3: Why other options are incorrect. 
- (A) Physostigmine: Intermediate-acting anticholinesterase.
 - (C) Ecothiophate: Long-acting anticholinesterase, used in the treatment of glaucoma.
 - (D) Neostigmine: Intermediate-acting anticholinesterase, used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis and to reverse neuromuscular blockade.