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Common uses
Mestinon (Pyridostigmine) is the most commonly used anticholinesterase for the symptomatic treatment of Myasthenia Gravis. It comes in a 60 milligram (mg) white, round tablet. Mestinon prevents the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine allowing more acetylcholine to accumulate. Acetylcholine is the chemical which transmits nerve impulses to the muscle. With more acetylcholine, there is more control of voluntary functions such as eye movements, limb strength, swallowing and breathing. Mestinon does not cure Myasthenia Gravis, but helps to alleviate the symptoms. Mestinon is an orally active cholinesterase inhibitor.
Before using
Pyridostigmine is mainly excreted unchanged by the kidney. Therefore, lower doses may be required in patients with renal disease, and treatment should be based on titration of drug dosage to effect.
Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Directions
The size and frequency of the dosage must be adjusted to the needs of the individual patient. Follow the prescribed dose regimen carefully. Record the response after each dose for the initial period of taking Mestinon or in times of instability of your myasthenia gravis weakness, to help your physician adjust the dose. Take care to discuss dosage changes with your physician since too much Mestinon can result in extreme muscle weakness.
Cautions
Do not use Mestinon if:
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Mestinon;
• you are taking quinine or quinidine;
• you have a stomach, intestinal, or urinary blockage .
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Important :
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Mestinon.
• Use Mestinon with extreme caution in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• If you become pregnant while taking Mestinon, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Mestinon during pregnancy. Mestinon is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Mestinon, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased salivation
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take too much
As is true of all anticholinesterase agents, overdosage of pyridostigmine can cause cholinergic crisis, which is characterized by increasing muscle weakness and which, through involvement of the muscles of respiration. 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 cholinergic crisis on a symptomatic basis.
Additional information
Mestinon is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other.
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