Mestinon (Pyridostigmine Bromide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Mestinon Used For?
Mestinon contains pyridostigmine bromide and is specifically designed to help people with muscle weakness conditions.
Primary Uses
Mestinon is used to treat myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness and tiredness, especially when muscles are used repeatedly.
How It Works
Mestinon belongs to a group of medicines called cholinergic antimyasthenics. It works by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that is needed to stimulate muscle movement.
How to Take Mestinon
Take Mestinon exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dosage depends on your condition severity and individual response.
Dosage Instructions
For adults, the usual dose is one to three Mestinon 60 mg tablets, two to four times daily. In severe cases, one to three Mestinon Timespan 180 mg tablets may be taken once or twice daily. If you have difficulty eating, your doctor may adjust your dosage so you take larger doses 30-45 minutes before meals. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Mestinon should be used as needed. If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it when you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhoea
- stomach cramps or pains
- increased saliva
- chest congestion
- low blood pressure
- skin rash
- muscle cramps and twitching
- excessive contraction of the pupil of the eye
- excessive sweating
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- slowed heart rate
- shortness of breath
- severe rash
- irritation
- swollen face
Important Warnings
Before taking Mestinon, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Mestinon
Do not take Mestinon if you are allergic to pyridostigmine bromide or any ingredients in the medication, allergic to other anticholinesterase agents (like medicines used in Alzheimer’s disease, ambenonium, bromides and neostigmine), have intestinal blockage, urinary tract blockage, or urinary tract infection.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Talk to your doctor if you have or have had: epilepsy, lung problems such as asthma or bronchitis, heart problems, slow or irregular heartbeats, stomach ulcer, kidney problems, or thyroid problems.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Temporary muscle weakness can occur in some newborn babies when mothers have taken antimyasthenics during pregnancy. Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Mestinon.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Mestinon and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking.
- muscle relaxants such as suxamethonium
- atropine contained in medicines for travel sickness and stomach cramps
- aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin
- some general and local anaesthetics
- medicines to treat abnormal heart rhythms
- methocarbamol (for muscle pain and spasms)
- dexpanthenol
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol and driving while taking Mestinon, as it may affect your ability to perform these activities safely.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Mestinon affects you.
Storage
Store Mestinon properly to maintain its effectiveness. Mestinon 10 mg and 180 mg should be stored below 30°C. Mestinon 60 mg should be stored below 25°C. Keep in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too many Mestinon tablets, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have difficulty eating, your doctor will adjust your dosage so that you may need to take larger doses at times of greatest fatigue, typically 30-45 minutes before meals.
Remind any doctor, dentist, pharmacist, surgeon or anaesthetist you visit that you are taking Mestinon. If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine as it may affect other medicines used during surgery.
Mestinon may not restore your muscle strength to normal and you should not increase your dose above the maximum response level in an attempt to relieve all symptoms.
Continue to use Mestinon until your doctor tells you to stop. Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
Do not take Mestinon to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to. Mestinon is specifically prescribed for myasthenia gravis.
Speak to your doctor if you have any less serious side effects that worry you. Call your doctor straight away or go to the Emergency Department if you notice serious side effects like slowed heart rate, shortness of breath, severe rash, irritation, or swollen face.
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.