Description
Mestinon (Pyridostigmine Bromide) is a prescription medication used to treat myasthenia gravis, a muscular disease. It contains an active substance called Pyridostigmine which works by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine in your body. Pyridostigmine has been used by military personnel who have been exposed to nerve gas.
This medication is typically used for extreme muscle fatigue. Its effects can be noticed within a few hours. This medication is typically used only once a day and is long-lasting (similar to the functionality of insulin glargine). However, your doctor or pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects.
Mestinon (pyridostigmine bromide tablets, USP) is an orally active cholinesterase inhibitor. Chemically, pyridostigmine bromide is 3-hydroxy-1-methyl pyridinium bromide dimethyl carbamate.
Please note, this medication is not insulin and should not be confused with insulin pens, cartridges or vials.
Warnings and Precautions
Do not take this medication if you have an allergy to Pyridostigmine or any ingredients in this Mestinon.
Speak to your doctor about any of your past or existing medical conditions, especially if you have: asthma or COPD, intestinal/stomach blockage, kidney or lung disease, urinary blockage, slow/irregular heartbeat or diabetes.
Notify your doctor of any other medications, supplements, herbal medicines, or vitamins you are currently taking.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not use this medication if you have bladder or bowel obstruction.
Since this medication can cause blurred vision, do not drive or operate any heavy machinery after taking it. Please do not drink alcohol after taking Mestinon as it can increase specific side effects of Pyridostigmine.
This medication is not approved to be taken by anyone under the age of 18.
Usage
Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. This medication should not be chewed or crushed.
Side Effects
The most common side effects with Mestinon include blurred vision, cough, diarrhea, nausea, sweating, abdominal pain, rash, muscle cramps, and vomiting.
Severe side effects with the medication include: loss of movement in any part of your body, slurred speech, vision problems, extreme muscle weakness, weak or shallow breathing and worsening or no improvement of myasthenia graves. If you suffer from any serious side effects please get in touch with your pharmacist, doctor or visit a health facility immediately.
Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing side effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your doctor or pharmacist. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.
Overdose
Although the failure of patients to show clinical improvement may reflect under dosage, it can also be indicative of overdosage. As is true of all cholinergic drugs, overdosage of Mestinon (pyridostigmine) may result in cholinergic crisis, a state characterized by increasing muscle weakness which, through the involvement of the muscles of respiration, may lead to death. Myasthenic crisis due to an increase in the severity of the disease is also accompanied by extreme muscle weakness and thus may be difficult to distinguish from the cholinergic crisis on a symptomatic basis. Such differentiation is significant since increases in doses of Mestinon (pyridostigmine) or other drugs of this class in the presence of cholinergic crisis or a refractory or “insensitive” state could have grave consequences.
Storage
As with most medications, this product should be stored at room temperature. Store it in a secure location where it will not be exposed to excessive heat, moisture, or direct sunlight. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed of safely.
Keep all your medications out of the reach of children and pets and return any unused or expired medications to the pharmacy for proper disposal.
