IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your health care professional. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your health care professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you.
NEOSTIGMINE BROMIDE - ORAL
(nee-oh-STIG-min)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Prostigmin
USES: Neostigmine is used to improve muscle strength in patients with a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis). It works by preventing the breakdown of a certain natural substance (acetylcholine) in your body. Acetylcholine is needed for normal muscle function.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. Taking this medication with food or milk may help to decrease side effects.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Talk with your doctor about how you respond to the medication and about when you feel the most tired or weak so that your doctor can make the proper dosage changes.
Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed. Doing so may increase the risk of serious side effects.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens or if the medication stops working well.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, increased saliva/mucus, decreased pupil size, increased urination, or increased sweating may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: new or increased muscle cramps/weakness/twitching, new or increased difficulty swallowing, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath, headache, seizures.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you may call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking neostigmine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other anticholinesterase medications (e.g., pyridostigmine); or to bromides; or if you have any other allergies.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: stomach/intestinal blockage, urinary blockage, a certain abdominal problem (peritonitis).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: seizures, asthma, heart disease (e.g., slow/irregular heartbeat, coronary artery disease), a certain nerve disorder (vagotonia), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., severe constipation, ulcer, megacolon).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This drug may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin), antiarrhythmic medications (e.g., quinidine), drugs that decrease the movements of the stomach (e.g., antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, antispasmodics such as dicyclomine, narcotic pain medications such as morphine).
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fast/slow heartbeat, dizziness, greatly increased saliva/sweating, blurred vision, agitation, muscle cramps/weakness, inability to move, trouble breathing, loss of consciousness.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature at 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Information last revised July 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.