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Mecamylamine (By mouth)

Mecamylamine (me-ka-MIL-a-meen)

Treats severe high blood pressure. Mecamylamine (Inversine®) tablets were withdrawn from the U.S. market by Targacept, Inc. on September 30, 2009.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to mecamylamine (Inversine®). Do not use this medicine if you have heart problems, or have recently had a heart attack.You should not use this medicine if you have only mild or moderate high blood pressure, or blood pressure that changes often. Do not use this medicine if you have had blood tests that show a higher than normal level of urea nitrogen (BUN).You should not use this medicine if you are a person with uremia (high level of nitrogen wastes in your urine), or if you have glaucoma (increased fluid pressure in your eyes). You should not use this medicine if you have pyloric stenosis (narrowing of the outlet between the stomach and the small intestine).

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • It is best to take this medicine after you have eaten. Take it at the same time each day following a meal.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a diuretic or "water pill" (such as furosemide, indapamide, spironolactone, or Lasix®), medicine to lower blood pressure (such as atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], lisinopril, metoprolol, quinapril, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Toprol®, or Zestril®), or a sulfa drug (such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, Bactrim®, Cotrim®, Septra®) or other antibiotics.
  • Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol daily or regularly. Drinking alcohol while using this medicine may cause its side effects to become worse.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, heart problems, or arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
  • Tell your doctor if you have a condition that causes trouble urinating (passing water, going to the bathroom) or causes you to urinate less often. Problems that may cause this include an enlarged prostate, blockage of the outlet from the bladder, or urethral stricture (narrowing of the tube that releases urine from your bladder).
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have fever, infection, diarrhea, vomiting, or if you are sweating a lot.
  • Let your doctor know how much sodium (salt) you usually have in your diet. Your doctor may need to change the amount of medicine you should use based on what you eat and drink.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Swollen or bloated stomach and diarrhea.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Blurred eye sight.
  • Difficulty breathing or wheezing.
  • Difficulty thinking clearly.
  • Dry mouth or loss of appetite.
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
  • Nausea, vomiting, or constipation.
  • Seizures, muscle twitching, or jerky movements of the muscles.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 6/12/2013

 
 
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