National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome

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My husband has Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome.  We read somewhere that this condition may be caused by an anesthetic.  I'm now unable to locate that information.  Is that true?  If so, what anesthetic?
LEMS is caused by an interruption in the nerve to muscle electrical impulses. There are medications that act upon the transmission of these impulses that can worsen symptoms of LEMS. There have been cases reported in the literature, where symptoms worsened in untreated individuals or the first symptoms of LEMS occurred in undiagnosed individuals following administration of such medications.[1][2][3] In these instances, the medication triggered symptoms of the syndrome that were previously absent or unnoticeable. 

Medications that act upon the transmission of impulses between nerve and muscle cells that may worsen symptoms of LEMS, include muscle relaxants (such as succinylcholine) that may be used during anesthesia as well as the following drugs:[4][3]
Last updated: 12/16/2016

We hope this information is helpful. We strongly recommend you discuss this information with your doctor. If you still have questions, please contact us.

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GARD Information Specialist

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  1. Bui PK, Kuczkowski KM, Moeller-Bertram T, Sanchez RA. New onset Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome as an unexpected cause of delayed recovery from general anesthesia after thyroidectomy. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. September 2004; 23(9):926-927. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15471643.
  2. Weingarten, TN. et al. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome during anesthesia: a report of 37 patients. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia. December 2014; 26(8):648-653. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25468580.
  3. Stickler, DE. Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome. Medscape. May 06, 2016; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1170810-overview.
  4. Stevens RD. Neuromuscular disorders and anesthesia. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. December 2001; 14(6):693-698. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17019167.