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

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

Before using pyridostigmine, tell your doctor if you have asthma or kidney disease.

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 pyridostigmine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

What is pyridostigmine?

Pyridostigmine affects chemicals in the body that are involved in the communciation 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 other than those listed in this medication guide.

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

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

Before using pyridostigmine, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma; or

• kidney disease;

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use pyridostigmine, 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 pyridostigmine 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 pyridostigmine?

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.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Measure the liquid form of pyridostigmine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get 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 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 pyridostigmine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store pyridostigmine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.