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

Do not use neostigmine if you have a serious stomach condition called peritonitis, or if you have a bladder or bowel obstruction.

Before using neostigmine, tell your doctor if you have asthma, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, a heart rhythm disorder, circulation or blood vessel problems, an overactive thyroid, or a stomach ulcer.

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 from this medication. 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 to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking neostigmine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

What is neostigmine?

Neostigmine affects chemicals in the body that are involved in the communciation between nerve impulses and muscle movement.

Neostigmine is used to treat the symptoms of myasthenia gravis.

Neostigmine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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

Do not use neostigmine if you have:

• a serious stomach condition called peritonitis; or

• a bladder or bowel obstruction.

Before using neostigmine, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• a heart rhythm disorder;

• problems with your blood vessels or circulation;

• overactive thyroid; or

• a stomach ulcer.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use neostigmine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether neostigmine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take neostigmine?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

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 from this medication. 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 to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking neostigmine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store neostigmine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a neostigmine overdose may include extreme muscle weakness, confusion, seizure (convulsions), severe diarrhea, muscle twitching, wheezing, chest tightness, and problems with vision or speech.