Mepenzolate (Oral)

Mepenzolate is used to treat peptic ulcers. It works by reducing the production of stomach acid and decreasing bowel contractions. Mepenzolate is an anticholinergic agent.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

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, which can increase your body temperature. 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.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to think about the risks and benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

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

Pediatric

Studies have not been done to see how mepenzolate affects children. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

Studies so far have not shown any specific problems for elderly patients that would limit the usefulness of mepenzolate. However, older adults are more likely to have kidney, liver, or heart problems related to aging, which may require caution and a dose adjustment when using mepenzolate.

Breast Feeding

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

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together. In other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if interactions might happen. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. When taking this medicine, it is very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been chosen for their potential importance and may not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to prescribe this medication or may change other medicines you take.

• Potassium Citrate

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

• Amantadine
• Amifampridine
• Buprenorphine
• Bupropion
• Clozapine
• Codeine
• Donepezil
• Glucagon
• Glycopyrrolate
• Glycopyrronium Tosylate
• Methacholine
• Oxycodone
• Quetiapine
• Revefenacin
• Scopolamine
• Secretin Human
• Tapentadol
• Tiotropium

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food because interactions may occur. Drinking alcohol or using tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using 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 tell your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Autonomic neuropathy (nerve problem) or
• Heart rhythm problems (e.g., 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 (e.g., coronary artery disease) or
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or
• Ulcerative colitis—Use with caution. May worsen side effects.

• Glaucoma or
• Myasthenia gravis or
• Paralytic ileus (bowels don't move) or
• Stomach or bowel blockage (e.g., 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.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do, 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.

In the U.S.

• Cantil

Pharmacologic Class: Antimuscarinic

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.

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.