Abstract

Distigmine bromide (Ubretid) is a long-acting anti-cholinesterase, widely used for the treatment of underactive neurogenic bladder and myasthenia gravis. Our study concerns a 73-year-old man treated with a potentially life-threatening cholinergic state due to distigmine bromide. He had been administered distigmine bromide orally for over two years at a daily dosage of 10 mg as a treatment for underactive neurogenic bladder. He suddenly developed diarrhea and consciousness disturbance during treatment of his urinary tract infection. Bradycardia and miosis were noted. Blood examination revealed extremely low levels of the plasma cholinesterase activity. The condition was diagnosed as distigmine bromide intoxication. All cholinergic symptoms disappeared in several days after the administration of distigmine bromide was terminated. Cholinergic crisis due to overdosage with anticholinesterases is well known, and the myasthenic patients are usually supervised in the early stages of dosage regulation to guard against the possibility of cholinergic crisis. However the use of oral distigmine bromide, even in therapeutic doses for urinary retention, could result in cholinergic crisis. We therefore conclude that extreme caution must be used in administering distigmine bromide.