Home
Individuals and Families
Health and Wellness
Wellness Library
pyridostigmine

pyridostigmine

Pronunciation: py rid o STIG meen

Brand: Mestinon, Mestinon Timespan

Pyridostigmine Bromide

slide 1 of 8, Pyridostigmine Bromide,

60 mg, round, white, imprinted with G 3511

Image of Pyridostigmine Bromide
slide 1 of 8

Mestinon

slide 2 of 8, Mestinon,

60 mg, round, white, imprinted with Mestinon V 60

Image of Mestinon
slide 2 of 8

Mestinon Timespan

slide 3 of 8, Mestinon Timespan,

180 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with MES V 180

Image of Mestinon Timespan
slide 3 of 8

Pyridostigmine Bromide

slide 4 of 8, Pyridostigmine Bromide,

60 mg, round, white, imprinted with OCEANSIDE 302

Image of Pyridostigmine Bromide
slide 4 of 8

Pyridostigmine Bromide

slide 5 of 8, Pyridostigmine Bromide,

60 mg, round, blue, imprinted with b133

Image of Pyridostigmine Bromide
slide 5 of 8

Pyridostigmine Bromide

slide 6 of 8, Pyridostigmine Bromide,

60 mg, round, white, imprinted with 659

Image of Pyridostigmine Bromide
slide 6 of 8

Pyridostigmine Bromide

slide 7 of 8, Pyridostigmine Bromide,

180 mg, capsule, yellow, imprinted with 335

Image of Pyridostigmine Bromide
slide 7 of 8

Pyridostigmine Bromide

slide 8 of 8, Pyridostigmine Bromide,

180 mg, capsule, yellow, imprinted with MES V 180

Image of Pyridostigmine Bromide
slide 8 of 8

What is the most important information I should know about pyridostigmine?

You should not use pyridostigmine if you you have a bladder or bowel obstruction.

What is pyridostigmine?

Pyridostigmine affects chemicals in the body that are involved in the communication 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 not listed in this medication guide.

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

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; or
  • kidney disease.

FDA pregnancy category C. 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 medicine.

It is not known whether pyridostigmine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Pyridostigmine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take pyridostigmine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

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.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. 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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, sweating, blurred vision, drooling, and weak or shallow breathing.

Worsening muscle weakness, or no change in your myasthenia gravis symptoms, may also be signs of overdose.

What should I avoid while taking pyridostigmine?

This medication may cause blurred vision or impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of pyridostigmine.

What are the possible side effects of 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.

Stop using pyridostigmine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • extreme muscle weakness;
  • loss of movement in any part of your body;
  • weak or shallow breathing;
  • slurred speech, vision problems; or
  • worsening or no improvement in your symptoms of myasthenia gravis.

Common side effects may include:

  • stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
  • muscle cramps, twitching;
  • sweating, increased salivation;
  • cough with mucus;
  • rash; or
  • blurred vision.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect pyridostigmine?

Other drugs may interact with pyridostigmine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about pyridostigmine.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

© 2019 Cigna. All rights reserved
Language Assistance

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

 Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details