1. A drug that inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine, used to treat certain eye conditions, poisoning, and myasthenia gravis.
Usage: medical/pharmaceutical term; also called eserine

Examples

• The ophthalmologist prescribed physostigmine eye drops to reduce intraocular pressure.
• Physostigmine is an effective antidote for certain types of poisoning.
• The patient received physostigmine to help manage symptoms of myasthenia gravis.
• Physostigmine works by blocking the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the nervous system.
• The medication physostigmine has been used in clinical practice for over a century.