Antimyasthenic

Class Name: antimyasthenic (Oral route, Parenteral route)

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Aricept
• Exelon
• Mestinon
• Mestinon Timespan
• Prostigmin Bromide
• Razadyne
• Razadyne ER
• Razadyne IR

In Canada

• Reminyl

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet, Extended Release
• Solution
• Tablet
• Capsule, Extended Release
• Capsule
• Tablet, Disintegrating

Uses for this Medicine

Antimyasthenics are given by mouth or by injection to treat myasthenia gravis. Neostigmine may also be given by injection as a test for myasthenia gravis. Sometimes neostigmine is given by injection to prevent or treat certain urinary tract or intestinal disorders. In addition, neostigmine or pyridostigmine may be given by injection as an antidote to certain types of muscle relaxants used in surgery.

These medicines are available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using this Medicine

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Although there is no specific information comparing use of antimyasthenics in children with use in other age groups, these medicines are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than they do in adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is not much information comparing use of antimyasthenics in the elderly with use in other age groups, these medicines are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.

Pregnancy

Antimyasthenics have not been reported to cause birth defects; however, muscle weakness has occurred temporarily in some newborn babies whose mothers took antimyasthenics during pregnancy.

Breast Feeding

Antimyasthenics have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Atropine
• Bepridil
• Bromopride
• Cisapride
• Dronedarone
• Fluconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Levoketoconazole
• Mesoridazine
• Pimozide
• Piperaquine
• Posaconazole
• Saquinavir
• Sparfloxacin
• Terfenadine
• Thioridazine
• Viloxazine
• Ziprasidone

Using medicines in this class w...