What medication would be expected to be ordered for a patient with myasthenia gravis who can no longer swallow?

Pyridostigmine is the medication that would be expected to be ordered for a patient with myasthenia gravis who can no longer swallow due to its role as a long-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. This medication works by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, enhancing neuromuscular transmission and improving muscle strength in conditions characterized by muscle weakness, like myasthenia gravis.

In patients who have difficulty swallowing, oral medications may not be effective; however, pyridostigmine can often be administered via alternative routes if necessary, such as through a feeding tube, maintaining its efficacy in alleviating symptoms of muscle weakness.

Other medications listed serve different purposes or have a different duration of action. Tacrine, for example, is primarily used for cognitive enhancement in Alzheimer's disease. Edrophonium is a short-acting agent used for diagnostic purposes rather than long-term management of myasthenia gravis. Ambenonium, while also an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor like pyridostigmine, is less commonly used and has a slower onset of action compared to pharmacological management best suited for patients having difficulty swallowing. Therefore, the effectiveness and established use of pyridostigmine in managing my