* Generic Name: pyridostigmine
* Brand Name: Mestinon
* What is pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
* What are the possible side effects of pyridostigmine (Mestinon,
Mestinon Timespan)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
* What should I discuss with my health care provider before
taking pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
* How should I take pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
* What happens if I overdose (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
* What should I avoid while taking pyridostigmine (Mestinon,
Mestinon Timespan)?
* What other drugs will affect pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Mestinon
Timespan)?
* Where can I get more information (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
What is pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
Pyridostigmine affects chemicals in the body that are involved in
the communication between nerve impulses and muscle movement.
Pyridostigmine is used to treat the symptoms of myasthenia gravis.
It is also used in military personnel who have been exposed to nerve
gas.
Pyridostigmine may also be used for purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Mestinon
Timespan)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using pyridostigmine and call your doctor at once if you have any
of these serious side effects:
* extreme muscle weakness;
* loss of movement in any part of your body;
* weak or shallow breathing;
* slurred speech, vision problems; or
* worsening or no improvement in your symptoms of myasthenia gravis.
Common side effects may include:
* stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
* muscle cramps, twitching;
* sweating, increased salivation;
* cough with mucus;
* rash; or
* blurred vision.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about pyridostigmine
(Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
You should not use pyridostigmine if you you have a bladder or
bowel obstruction.
Mestinon Patient Information including How Should I Take
Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions
Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
RxList
10 Facts About the Amazing Brain
Weight Gain Shockers:Surprising Reasons You're Gaining Weight
Weight Gain Shockers Slideshow
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking
pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
You should not use pyridostigmine if you are allergic to it, or if you
have a bladder or bowel obstruction.
To make sure you can safely take pyridostigmine, tell your doctor if
you have any of these other conditions:
* asthma; or
* kidney disease.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether pyridostigmine will
harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant while using this medicine.
It is not known whether pyridostigmine passes into breast milk or if it
could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
Pyridostigmine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years
old.
How should I take pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it
whole.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a
special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a
dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
The amount and timing of this medicine is extremely important to the
success of your treatment. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions
about how much medicine to take and when to take it.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the
best results. You may be asked to keep a daily record of when you took
each dose and how long the effects lasted. This will help your doctor
determine if your dose needs to be adjusted.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
using pyridostigmine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a
short time.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the canister
of moisture-absorbing preservative that comes with this medicine.
Mestinon Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions
Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
RxList
10 Facts About the Amazing Brain
Weight Gain Shockers:Surprising Reasons You're Gaining Weight
Weight Gain Shockers Slideshow
What happens if I miss a dose (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach
cramps, sweating, blurred vision, drooling, and weak or shallow
breathing.
Worsening muscle weakness, or no change in your myasthenia gravis
symptoms, may also be signs of overdose.
What should I avoid while taking pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Mestinon
Timespan)?
This medication may cause blurred vision or impair your thinking or
reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to
be alert and able to see clearly.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of pyridostigmine.
What other drugs will affect pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
Other drugs may interact with pyridostigmine, including prescription
and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell
each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and
any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information (Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about pyridostigmine.
__________________________________________________________________
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United
States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill,
knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe,
effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the
aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is
not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions,
warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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