In this Article

• What is pyridostigmine (Mestinon)?
• What are the possible side effects of pyridostigmine (Mestinon)?
• What is the most important information I should know about pyridostigmine (Mestinon)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking pyridostigmine (Mestinon)?
• How should I take pyridostigmine (Mestinon)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Mestinon)?
• What happens if I overdose (Mestinon)?
• What should I avoid while taking pyridostigmine (Mestinon)?
• What other drugs will affect pyridostigmine (Mestinon)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking pyridostigmine (Mestinon)?

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;
• kidney disease;
• an ulcer or other serious stomach disorder;
• high blood pressure, heart disease;
• overactive thyroid; or
• a history of seizures.

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 medication.

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.

How should I take pyridostigmine (Mestinon)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

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. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. 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.