Mepenzolate

What is mepenzolate used for?

Mepenzolate is a prescription medicine that is used to treat GI (gastrointestinal) ulcers.

Description

CANTIL tablets for oral administration contain 25 mg mepenzolate bromide USP. The anticholinergic agent mepenzolate bromide USP chemically is 3-[(hydroxydiphenylacetyl)oxy]-1,1- dimethylpiperidinium bromide and has the following structure:

Mepenzolate bromide occurs as a white or light cream-colored powder, which is freely soluble in methanol, slightly soluble in water and chloroform, and practically insoluble in ether.

Before taking mepenzolate, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to mepenzolate; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are allergic to tartrazine, talk with your doctor. Some products have tartrazine.
• If you have any of these health problems: Bleeding problems, bowel block, enlarged colon, glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, slow-moving GI (gastrointestinal) tract, trouble passing urine, or ulcerative colitis.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with mepenzolate.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take mepenzolate with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take mepenzolate?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take mepenzolate. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how mepenzolate affects you.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• Be careful in hot weather or while being active. Drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.
• Talk with your doctor before you take antacids while you are taking mepenzolate.
• If you are 65 or older, use mepenzolate with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using mepenzolate while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is mepenzolate best taken?

Use mepenzolate as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with meals and at bedtime.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of mepenzolate that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Big change in balance.
• A fast heartbeat.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Feeling confused.
• Mood changes.
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
• Memory problems or loss.
• Not able to sleep.
• Trouble speaking.
• Change in eyesight.
• Diarrhea.
• Not able to get or keep an erection.
• Not able to pass urine.
• Not sweating during activities or in warm temperatures.

What are some other side effects of mepenzolate?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, confused, or having blurred eyesight.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Less sweating.
• Change in taste.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Constipation.
• Dry mouth.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out mepenzolate?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.