title: Management of myasthenia gravis.
abstract: Although once a severe and often fatal illness, myasthenia gravis can now be well managed with several relatively safe and effective therapies. Management involves a graded approach, beginning with cholinesterase inhibitors for mild symptoms and advancing to immunomodulating medications for more severe weakness. There are several immunomodulating agents from which to choose; selection is based largely on time to clinical effect and adverse effects. This review will discuss the selection and use of therapies for patients with myasthenia gravis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Saperstein
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Barohn
mesh_terms: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000628:therapy*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D013934:Thymectomy
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents