What is Mestinon (Pyridostigmine)?

Pyridostigmine affects chemicals in the body that are involved in the communciation 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 other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Mestinon (Pyridostigmine)?

Do not use pyridostigmine if you have a serious stomach condition called peritonitis, or if you have a bladder or bowel obstruction.
Before using pyridostigmine, tell your doctor if you have asthma or kidney disease.
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 from this medication. 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 to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking pyridostigmine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Mestinon (Pyridostigmine)?

Do not use pyridostigmine if you have a bladder or bowel obstruction.
Before using pyridostigmine, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma; or
• kidney disease

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use pyridostigmine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether pyridostigmine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Mestinon Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Mestinon (Pyridostigmine)?

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.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• extreme muscle weakness
• severe vomiting or diarrhea
• vision problems; or
• muscle cramps or twitching

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• sweating or urinating more than usual
• drooling, watery eyes
• warmth or tingly feeling
• mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
• mild itching or skin rash; or
• muscle or joint pain

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Mestinon Interactions

What other drugs affect Mestinon (Pyridostigmine)?

Before taking pyridostigmine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• atropine (Donnatal, and others)
• belladonna
• clidinium (Quarzan)
• dicyclomine (Bentyl)
• glycopyrrolate (Robinul)
• hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin)
• mepenzolate (Cantil)
• methantheline (Provocholine)
• methscopolamine (Pamine)
• propantheline (Pro-Banthine)
• scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
• antibiotics such as neomycin (Mycafradin, Neo-Tab), kanamycin (Kantrex), or streptomycin; or

• heart rhythm medications such as quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), disopyramide (Norpace), mexiletine (Mexitil), tocainide (Tonocard), flecainide (Tambocor), propafenone (Rythmol), esmolol (Brevibloc), propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Toprol), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), sotalol (Betapace)

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use pyridostigmine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect pyridostigmine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Mestinon (Pyridostigmine)?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while using pyridostigmine unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Mestinon Dosage

How should I take Mestinon (Pyridostigmine)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Measure the liquid form of pyridostigmine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get 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 from this medication. 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 to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking pyridostigmine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store pyridostigmine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Mestinon (Pyridostigmine)?

Symptoms of a pyridostigmine overdose may include extreme muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, and muscle cramps, or weakness.

What happens if I miss a dose of Mestinon (Pyridostigmine)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com