What is Mepenzolate?
Mepenzolate reduces stomach acid and helps control muscle spasms in the intestines.
Mepenzolate is used to treat peptic ulcers of the stomach. Mepenzolate does not help heal an ulcer.
Mepenzolate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Mepenzolate?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to mepenzolate, or if you have problems with urination, a blockage in your intestines, severe ulcerative colitis, glaucoma, or myasthenia gravis.
Before taking mepenzolate tell your doctor if you have diarrhea, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, liver or kidney disease, ulcerative colitis, heart disease, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, hiatal hernia, acid reflux disease, an enlarged prostate, asthma, or any allergies.
Mepenzolate can cause side effects that may impair your vision, thinking, or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of mepenzolate.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Mepenzolate can decrease sweating, and you could develop heatstroke more easily.
Stop using mepenzolate and call your doctor at once if you stop urinating, or if you have hallucinations, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, or if you have fast, uneven, or pounding heartbeats.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Mepenzolate?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to mepenzolate, or if you have:
- problems with urination
- a blockage in your intestines, paralytic ileus, severe ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon
- glaucoma; or
- myasthenia gravis
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take mepenzolate:
- diarrhea (especially if you have a colostomy or ileostomy)
- numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
- liver or kidney disease
- ulcerative colitis
- overactive thyroid
- congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, or coronary artery disease
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- hiatal hernia or acid reflux disease
- an enlarged prostate; or
- asthma or any allergies
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to 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 mepenzolate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take mepenzolate without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from mepenzolate.
Mepenzolate Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Mepenzolate?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using mepenzolate and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- urinating less than usual or not at all
- confusion, hallucinations
- unusual thoughts or behavior; or
- fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats
Less serious side effects may include:
- drowsiness, dizziness, headache
- blurred vision
- memory problems
- problems with balance or coordination
- nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating; or
- decreased sweating
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Mepenzolate Interactions
What other drugs affect Mepenzolate?
The following drugs can interact with mepenzolate. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:
- amantadine (Symmetrel)
- nitroglycerin
- heart rhythm medicines such as quinidine (Quinaglute, Cardioquin, Quinidex)
- sedatives such as diazepam (Valium) or medicines to treat mental illness such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) or thioridazine (Mellaril)
- antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Emsam)
- medicine to treat Parkinson’s disease, such as rasagiline (Azilect) or selegiline (Eldepryl); and
- cold or allergy medicines containing antihistamines such as Benadryl, Dimetapp, Actifed, Chlor-Trimeton, and others
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with mepenzolate. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Mepenzolate?
Mepenzolate can cause side effects that may impair your vision, thinking, or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of mepenzolate.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Mepenzolate can decrease sweating, and you could develop heatstroke more easily.
Mepenzolate Dosage
How should I take Mepenzolate?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Mepenzolate is usually taken 4 times each day, with meals and at bedtime. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Taking this medication may slow down your digestion, causing a bloated feeling or other stomach discomfort. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this effect.
Store mepenzolate at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and direct light.
What happens if I overdose on Mepenzolate?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness, headache, dry and hot skin, trouble swallowing, and muscle weakness or stiffness.
What happens if I miss a dose of Mepenzolate?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com