J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center Patient ... - JIRDC Home

J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center
Patient Education Monograph
IMPORTANT NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR, THE
EXPERTISE AND JUDGEMENT OF YOUR PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. IT
SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO INDICATE THAT USE OF THE DRUG IS SAFE, APPROPRIATE, OR EFFECTIVE FOR
YOU. CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING THIS DRUG.
MECAMYLAMINE - ORAL
USES: This medication is used to treat moderately severe to severe high blood pressure. It can also be used in sudden
high blood pressure emergencies (malignant hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart
attacks, and kidney problems. Mecamylamine belongs to a class of drugs known as ganglion blockers. It works by
relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, usually 2 to 3 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Food can
affect how this medication works. You may take this medication with or without food, but it is important to choose
one way and take this medication the same way with every dose.
• The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side
effects, your doctor may direct you to start treatment at a low dose or take it less often. Your doctor
may then gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
• Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the
same times each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most
people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
• Do not stop taking this medication without first consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become
worse when you suddenly stop this drug. A rapid rise in blood pressure may occur when the drug is
abruptly stopped. Also, there have been rare reports of severe, possibly fatal reactions (such as stroke,
heart failure) from stopping this drug too quickly. To prevent these problems while you are stopping
treatment with this drug, your doctor may lower your dose gradually over several days. Consult your
doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms immediately.
• It is important that you do not run out of mecamylamine or miss any doses. Tell your doctor or
pharmacist immediately if you are unable to take the medication (for example, due to vomiting).
• When used for a long time, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing or an
additional medication. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well or if your condition
persists or worsens (for example, your routine blood pressure readings increase).
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 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage
between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. 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.
SIDE EFFECTS: Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, tiredness, blurred vision, nausea, constipation, and dry mouth
may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
• Hot weather, exercise, or alcohol may increase dizziness and lightheadedness. Fever, vomiting, diarrhea,
bleeding, loss of salt, or heavy sweating may also increase dizziness. To lower your risk of dizziness and
lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
• To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water,
or use a saliva substitute.
• 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.
1

• Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, fast/irregular
heartbeat, difficulty urinating, decreased sexual ability/interest.
• Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: shaking (tremor),
uncontrolled movements of the face/hands/arms/legs.
• If you develop frequent diarrhea with severe stomach/abdominal discomfort and/or bloating while taking
this medication, seek immediate medical attention. This may be a sign of a very serious problem
(paralytic ileus).
• Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: chest pain, mental/mood
changes (such as anxiety, confusion, depression), seizures.
• A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you
notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of
the face/tongue/throat), 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.
• In the US -
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-
FDA-1088.
• In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health
Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking mecamylamine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have
any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
• This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine,
consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain eye problem (glaucoma), certain stomach condition
(organic pyloric stenosis).
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart
problems (such as chest pain, heart attack), blood flow problems especially to the brain/heart (such
as stroke, TIA), kidney disease, bladder/urination problems (such as bladder neck obstruction, urethral
stricture), enlarged prostate (prostatic hypertrophy), salt-restricted diet.
• Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
• This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any
activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.
Avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Older adults
may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.
• During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and
benefits with your doctor.
• It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. 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.
• This drug should not be used with the following medication because a very serious interaction may
occur: ambenonium.
• If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting
mecamylamine.
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal
products you may use, especially of: drugs for a certain muscle disorder - myasthenia gravis (such
as pyridostigmine), drugs that can affect the muscles (including aminoglycosides such as gentamicin/streptomycin,
sulfa medications such as sulfisoxazole).
• Certain drugs/vitamins/herbal products may affect how the body gets rid of mecamylamine, possibly
causing too much or too little mecamylamine to remain in your body. These changes may cause your
blood pressure to become too low or too high. Some products include antacids, vitamin C, carbonic
anhydrase inhibitors (such as acetazolamide), methenamine, urinary alkalinizers (sodium/potassium citrate),
and sodium bicarbonate. If you are currently using any of these products, consult your doctor or
pharmacist before starting mecamylamine.
2

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness, including alcohol,
antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam,
diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine).
• Mecamylamine lowers blood pressure and causes dizziness/drowsiness. Check the labels on all your
medicines (including allergy products, cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs-NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that
could increase your blood pressure or cause dizziness/drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those
products safely.
• 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.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.
• Talk with your doctor about making changes to your lifestyle that may increase the effectiveness of this
medication (such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes).
• Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure readings, kidney tests) may need to be performed
to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
• Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your
own blood pressure at home, and share the results with your doctor.
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: severe weakness, severe/sudden nausea and vomiting,
hallucinations.
3