T/F: Edrophonium has a long duration of action.

Edrophonium is classified as a rapid-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, primarily used in the diagnostic assessment of myasthenia gravis and for reversal of neuromuscular blockade. One key characteristic of edrophonium is its brief duration of action, which typically lasts for about 10 to 30 minutes. This short duration is due to its competitive inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase that breaks down acetylcholine, allowing for a quick increase in the neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junctions.

In clinical practice, the limited duration of edrophonium makes it unsuitable for long-term management of conditions like myasthenia gravis, where a more prolonged effect is desired. The short-lived enhancement of cholinergic transmission plays a crucial role in its applications, particularly in evaluating muscle strength in patients with suspected or known myasthenia gravis during the tensilon test. This distinct pharmacokinetic profile highlights why it is appropriate to state that edrophonium does not have a long duration of action.