Demser (Oral)

Metyrosine is part of a group of medicines called antihypertensives. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) that is caused by a condition known as pheochromocytoma (a noncancerous tumor of the adrenal gland).

Metyrosine lowers the levels of certain chemicals in the body. When these chemicals are too high, they lead to high blood pressure.

Metyrosine is available only with a prescription from your doctor.

It is important for your doctor to check your progress at regular visits to ensure that this medicine is working properly and to look for unwanted effects.

While taking this medicine, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and urinate often. This will help prevent kidney problems and keep your kidneys working well. If you have questions about how much you should drink, ask your doctor.

This medicine will increase the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, which may cause drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; tricyclic antidepressants (medicine for depression); muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of these while you are taking this medicine.

Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery), inform the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may cause most people to feel drowsy or less alert than usual. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks and benefits. For this medicine, the following points should be taken into account:

Allergies

Let your doctor know if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your healthcare professional about any other allergies you have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Research on this medicine has only been conducted in adult patients, and there is no specific information about how metyrosine works in children compared to other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be clear whether they work the same way in older people as they do in younger adults or if they might cause different side effects or issues. There is no specific information about the use of metyrosine in the elderly compared to other age groups.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction could occur. In these situations, your doctor may need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. While taking this medicine, it is very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions are notable but may not include all possibilities.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in certain cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor might change the dose or frequency of use for one or both medicines.

• Iobenguane I 123
• Iobenguane I 131

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at the same time as food or certain types of food since interactions may happen. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk with your healthcare professional about the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect how you can use this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Metyrosine may have stronger effects due to slower removal from the body

• Mental depression (or a history of) or
• Parkinson's disease—Metyrosine may worsen these conditions.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Diarrhea
• drooling
• trembling and shaking of hands and fingers
• trouble in speaking

Less common

• Anxiety
• confusion
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
• mental depression

Rare

• Black, tarry stools
• blood in urine or stools
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• muscle spasms, especially of neck and back
• painful urination
• pinpoint red spots on skin
• restlessness
• shortness of breath
• shuffling walk
• skin rash and itching
• swelling of feet or lower legs
• tic-like (jerky) movements of head, face, mouth, and neck
• 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. Your health care professional may also 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, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Drowsiness

Less common

• Decreased sexual ability in men
• dryness of mouth
• nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
• stuffy nose
• swelling of breasts or unusual milk production

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

More common

• Diarrhea

Also, after you stop taking this medicine, you may feel an increase in energy or have trouble sleeping. However, these effects should last only for two or three days.

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.

In the U.S.

• Demser

Available Dosage Forms:

• Capsule

Therapeutic Class: Antihypertensive

Pharmacologic Class: Tyrosine Hydroxylase Inhibitor

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less of it than your doctor ordered.

To help you remember to take your medicine, try to get into the habit of taking it at the same times each day.

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 forms (capsules): Adults and children 12 years of age and older: 1000 milligrams to 3000 milligrams (1 to 3 grams) a day, divided into four doses.

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.