What is neostigmine?
Neostigmine affects chemicals in the body that are involved in the communication between nerve impulses and muscle movement.
Neostigmine is used to treat the symptoms of myasthenia gravis.
Neostigmine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about neostigmine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to neostigmine or pyridostigmine (Mestinon), or if you have a bladder or bowel obstruction, or a serious stomach disorder called peritonitis.
Before taking neostigmine, tell your doctor if you have asthma, kidney disease, slow heartbeats or other heart rhythm disorder, high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, an ulcer or other serious stomach disorder, overactive thyroid, or a history of seizures.
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. You may need to take neostigmine at evenly spaced intervals around the clock.
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.
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 neostigmine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking neostigmine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to neostigmine or pyridostigmine (Mestinon), or if you have a bladder or bowel obstruction, or a serious stomach disorder called peritonitis.
To make sure you can safely take neostigmine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
asthma;
kidney disease;
slow heartbeats or other heart rhythm disorder;
high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease;
an ulcer or other serious stomach disorder;
overactive thyroid; or
a history of seizures.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether neostigmine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. You should not take neostigmine during late pregnancy.
It is not known whether neostigmine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using neostigmine.