Description
Mepenzolate is used to treat peptic ulcers. It works by decreasing stomach acid production and bowel contractions. Mepenzolate is an anticholinergic agent.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of mepenzolate in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of mepenzolate in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving mepenzolate.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Potassium Citrate
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amantadine
- Amifampridine
- Benzhydrocodone
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Dihydrocodeine
- Donepezil
- Fentanyl
- Glucagon
- Glycopyrrolate
- Glycopyrronium Tosylate
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- LetibotulinumtoxinA-wlbg
- Meperidine
- Methacholine
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Olanzapine
- Oliceridine
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Promethazine
- Quetiapine
- Revefenacin
- Scopolamine
- Secretin Human
- Sofpironium
- Sufentanil
- Tapentadol
- Tiotropium
- Tramadol
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Autonomic neuropathy (nerve problem) or
- Heart rhythm problems (eg, arrhythmia) or
- Hiatal hernia with reflux (stomach problem) or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
- Tachycardia (fast heart rate)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Congestive heart failure or
- Enlarged prostate or
- Heart disease (eg, coronary artery disease) or
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or
- Ulcerative colitis—Use with caution. May cause side effects to become worse.
- Glaucoma or
- Myasthenia gravis or
- Paralytic ileus (bowels don't move) or
- Stomach or bowel blockage (eg, achalasia, intestinal atony, pyloroduodenal stenosis, toxic megacolon) or
- Urinary bladder blockage—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Tartrazine sensitivity—Cantil® contains tartrazine, which may cause allergic reactions in patients with this condition.
Proper Use
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance for side effects.
Take this medicine with meals and at bedtime.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For treatment of peptic ulcer:
- Adults—25 or 50 milligrams (mg) 4 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For treatment of peptic ulcer:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.
This medicine may make you sweat less, causing your body temperature to increase. Use extra care to avoid becoming overheated during exercise or hot weather, since overheating may result in heat stroke.
This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Check with your doctor right away if you have agitation, confusion, difficulty with speaking, trouble sleeping, or unusual changes in mood or behavior, or if you see, hear, or feel things that are not there. These may be nervous system side effects with the medicine.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
- Blurred vision
- confusion
- cough
- decrease in the frequency of urination
- decrease in urine volume
- difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- hives, itching, or skin rash
- painful urination
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
- Bloated feeling
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- decreased sweating
- difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
- drowsiness
- inability to have or keep an erection
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- loss of taste
- nervousness
- trouble sleeping
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
CON-XXXXXXXX
