Guanidine oral tablets

What is this medication?

GUANIDINE (GWAN i deen) is a cholinergic muscle stimulant. This medicine is used for the myasthenic syndrome of Lambert-Eaton.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Guanidine

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease
• liver disease
• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
• mental illness
• an unusual or allergic reaction to guanidine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• certain medicines used to treat cancer
• certain medicines used for organ transplants
• certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine and felbamate
• clozapine
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
• sulfinpyrazone

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash
• difficulty breathing
• fast, irregular heart beat
• fever
• hallucination, loss of contact with reality
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• unusually weak or tired
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• changes in emotions or moods
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• feeling faint or lightheaded
• headache
• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
• stomach pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• sore throat, rash, fever
• upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.