mecamylamine

What is the most important information I should know about mecamylamine?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is mecamylamine?

Mecamylamine is used to treat moderate to severe hypertension (high blood pressure). Because of its many side effects, mecamylamine is not commonly used.

Mecamylamine is also used to treat malignant hypertension (extremely high blood pressure that comes on suddenly). Malignant hypertension can damage organs in the body if left untreated.

Mecamylamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mecamylamine?

• mild, moderate, or well-controlled hypertension;
• severe kidney disease, or kidney failure;
• glaucoma;
• a blockage in your stomach or intestines;
• poor blood flow to your heart; or
• if you have recently had a heart attack.

Some drugs should not be used together with mecamylamine. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use an antibiotic or sulfa drug.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a heart attack or stroke;
• coronary artery disease (clogged or hardened arteries);
• kidney disease;
• urination problems;
• a chronic infection;
• bleeding problems; or
• if you are on a low-salt diet.

How should I take mecamylamine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Allow for the same time interval between your meals and your mecamylamine doses. For example, if you take your medicine 15 minutes after eating, take it that way each time.

You may need different amounts of this medicine at different times of the day. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. Do not change your dose or stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need other medical tests.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine.

You should not stop using mecamylamine suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, weakness, vision problems, fainting, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, urination problems, anxiety, or pounding heartbeats.

What should I avoid while taking this mecamylamine?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

What are the possible side effects of mecamylamine?

• tremors or jerky muscle movements;
• numbness, tingling, burning pain;
• painful or difficult urination;
• ongoing diarrhea with stomach bloating;
• confusion, thinking problems;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• a seizure; or
• dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath (even while lying down).

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness or fainting;
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
• constipation;
• dry mouth, swollen tongue;
• feeling weak or tired;
• blurred vision; or
• impotence, decreased interest in sex.

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.

What other drugs will affect mecamylamine?

When you start or stop taking mecamylamine, your doctor may need to adjust the doses of any other blood pressure medicines you take on a regular basis.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• an antibiotic; or
• a diuretic or "water pill".

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect mecamylamine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about mecamylamine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01. Revision date: 12/4/2019.