Mepenzolate, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antispasmodic; anticholinergic

Generic and brand names: mepenzolate, oral; Cantil

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to relieve cramps in your stomach, intestines, and bladder.

It may also be used to treat peptic (stomach) ulcers.

This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• a blockage in your intestines or urinary tract
• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• an enlarged prostate or trouble urinating
• an overactive thyroid
• asthma or other long term lung disease
• brain damage or Down's syndrome
• glaucoma
• heart problem such as heart failure, fast heart beat
• high blood pressure
• kidney or liver disease
• muscle diseases such as Myasthenia gravis
• severe ulcerative colitis.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not take more than directed because increasing the dosage increases the risk of side effects.

This medicine works best when taken 30 to 60 minutes before meals. Take this medicine 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take an antacid.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medicine. If it becomes bothersome, tell your health care provider.

This medicine may cause blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and able to see clearly.

This medicine increases the risk of heat stroke because it reduces sweating. Avoid extreme heat, saunas, hot tubs, and exercising too much.

This medicine may make your eyes more sensitive to light. Wear sunglasses to help protect your eyes.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other medicines that slow down the nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you drowsy unless your health care provider approves.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects such as nervousness or drowsiness. Talk with your health care provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat) or seizures.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Severe vision problems or eye pain, confusion, clumsiness, fast heartbeat, slurred speech, hallucinations, muscle weakness, severe diarrhea, trouble urinating, high or low blood pressure.

Important: The above symptoms are also signs of overdose. If you think you have taken an overdose, get medical help right away.

Other: Constipation, dry mouth, decreased sweating, nausea, vomiting, change in sense of taste, stuffy nose, restlessness, dizziness, headache, dilated pupils.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• amantadine (Symmetrel)
• antacids such as Maalox or Mylanta (Take at least 2 hours apart from this medicine.)
• atenolol (Tenormin)
• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Stelazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin, Permitil), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promazine (Sparine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.