Skip to main content

Is Mestinon an Immunosuppressant?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on April 19, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Mestinon is not an immunosuppressant it is an anticholinesterase inhibitor that slows the breakdown of acetylcholine in the space between nerves and muscles. This helps improve muscle strength by making the signal between nerves and muscles stronger. Mestinon does not affect your immune system, but it is used for autoimmune conditions, such as myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease. It may be also be used off-label to treat postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

References
  • Farrugia, M. E., & Goodfellow, J. A. (2020). A Practical Approach to Managing Patients With Myasthenia Gravis-Opinions and a Review of the Literature. Frontiers in neurology, 11, 604. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.00604
  • Mestinon. (pyridostigmine). Prescribing information. ICN Pharmaceuticals. FDA. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2001/15193s18lbl.pdf

Read next

Mestinon (pyridostigmine) has been used to treat postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and may improve symptoms such as a fast heart rate (tachycardia) and symptom burden (Raj et al., 2005). However, research that investigated the addition of Mestinon to standard beta-blocker treatment (propranolol or bisoprolol) found no additional advantage with the addition of Mestinon and suggested beta-blocker therapy alone to be the preferred option (Moon et al., 2018) Continue reading

Mestinon is a common treatment for myasthenia gravis but 25% of all patients who take it discontinue it because of side effects, and many discontinue it because it does not make any difference to their symptoms. Because it is short-acting, it could theoretically be stopped without tapering it, but you should always talk to your doctor about stopping it before you do so. Continue reading

Mestinon is a prescription medicine that can help relieve symptoms of myasthenia gravis (MG) such muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, loss of facial expressions, and difficulties with talking, chewing food, swallowing and breathing. There is no cure for MG, but treatments can help with symptoms. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups

Medical Disclaimer