Page "Physostigmine" Paragraph 15

Physostigmine functions as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

Its mechanism is to prevent the hydrolysis of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase at the transmitted sites of acetylcholine.

This inhibition enhances the effect of acetylcholine, making it useful for the treatment of cholinergic disorders and myasthenia gravis.

More recently, physostigmine has been used to improve the memory of Alzheimer ’ s patients due to its potent anticholinesterase activity.

However, the drug form of physostigmine, physostigmine salicylate, has poor bioavailability.