Myasthenia Gravis Treatments

The treatments of this disease focus on altering one’s immune system so that fewer antibodies are produced and therefore the muscle can rebuild its acetylcholine receptors.  Perhaps the most commonly used initial medication is prednisone.  In addition many patients will take a medication called mestinon. Mestinon allows the remaining acetylcholine receptor a better chance to react to the acetylcholine released by the muscles. This does not treat the underlying problem but can markedly improve the Myasthenia Gravis symptoms. If prednisone does not completely resolve the muscle weakness then a variety of other drugs are used in Myasthenia Gravis treatments. Cellcept, azathioprine, cyclosporine, and intravenous immunoglobulin all have a marked chance of improving one’s disease. If patients experience a myasthenic crisis and are having difficulty swallowing or breathing, then there is a procedure called plasmaphresis which is very effective in improving one’s weakness. This is a procedure similar to dialysis in which a patient’s blood is removed and washed of their antibodies and then returned to the patient.  This is usually repeated five times over a 7-10 day period and is very effective.

All patients with Myasthenia respond differently to different drugs and so the important point is to follow with a neurologist closely who can adjust medications as the symptoms dictate.