Triethylcholine is a drug which mimics choline, and causes failure of cholinergic transmission by interfering with synthesis of acetylcholine in nerve endings.

[1] Triethylcholine produces a slowly developing neuromuscular weakness that is exacerbated by exercise, resembling the symptoms of myasthenia gravis.

The muscle weakness typically lasts for 80 to 120 minutes; it is partially relieved by rest.

Triethylcholine seems to interfere with the synthesis of acetylcholine in the presynaptic nerve endings, since its effects are reversed by choline but not by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Animal experiments revealed a relatively low acute toxicity: intravenous administration of 10–25 mg/kg triethylcholine iodide produced slight to moderate exercise intolerance, while 100 mg/kg caused death in rabbits after continuous exercise.