Mecamylamine Tablets

What is this medication?

MECAMYLAMINE (mek ah MIL ah min) treats severe high blood pressure. It works by relaxing blood vessels, which decreases the amount of work the heart has to do.

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

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Inversine, Vecamyl

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

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

• Bladder disease
• Glaucoma
• Having surgery
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• History of stroke
• If you often drink alcohol
• Kidney disease
• Prostate disease
• Recent heart attack
• Trouble passing urine
• An unusual or allergic reaction to mecamylamine, other medications, food, dyes or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take this medication with or without food. However, you should always take it the same way. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your care team's advice.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication 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 medication may interact with the following:

• Acetazolamide
• Alcohol
• Ammonium chloride
• Certain antibiotics like amikacin, capreomycin, clindamycin, colistin, gentamicin, lincomycin, polymyxin B, tobramycin, sulfonamides (sulfa medications), vancomycin
• Certain medications for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
• Diuretics
• General anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
• Methazolamide
• Methenamine
• Potassium citrate
• Sodium acetate
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Sodium citrate

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?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your care team's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take.

You may get dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Avoid alcoholic drinks; they can make you more dizzy.

This medication can cause constipation. Talk to your care team if you have bowel movements less often than usual or if you have less than 3 bowel movements per week. Call if stool is hard or dry, or if you have trouble passing gas. Contact your care team right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or belly swelling or pain. Drink plenty of water.

If you are going to need surgery or other procedure, tell your care team that you are using this medication.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Constipation, bloating, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, which may be signs of slow movement through the digestive tract
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• New or worsening uncontrolled and repetitive movements of the face, mouth, or upper body
• Tremors or shaking
• Trouble passing urine
• Unusual changes in behavior

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

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Feeling faint or lightheaded

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 and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medication 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.