AChEI
Medical abbreviation · Drug Class
| Stands for | Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
AChEI stands for Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a drug class abbreviation.
Drugs that prevent breakdown of acetylcholine, including donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine for Alzheimer disease and other dementias, and pyridostigmine for myasthenia gravis. Neostigmine reverses muscle relaxants after anesthesia.
Example: AChEI (donepezil 5 mg) moved to morning dosing because of vivid dreams.
Usage notes
Also written ChEI. In dementia these drugs give modest, temporary improvement in memory and function. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, slow heart rate and fainting, which can lead to falls. Rivastigmine is available as a skin patch to reduce stomach upset. Organophosphate poisoning is essentially an irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
Related abbreviations
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- ACT – Artemisinin-based combination therapy
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- AED – Antiepileptic drug
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- AGI – Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor
- AI – Aromatase inhibitor
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.