Mestinon interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Before you start treatment with Mestinon, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Mestinon interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Mestinon and other interactions” section below.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with Mestinon. Keep in mind that this table doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Mestinon. Some of these interactions are described in detail just below in “Drug interactions in depth.”

Sometimes, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Mestinon due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of Mestinon include:

Having a blockage in your intestines

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Mestinon for people with a blockage in the intestines. This is because Mestinon may increase muscle contractions in the intestines. Taking the drug may worsen the blockage and lead to complications.

If you have an intestinal blockage, talk with your doctor before taking Mestinon. They’ll likely prescribe a different treatment for your condition.

Having a blockage in your urinary system

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Mestinon for people with a blockage in the urinary system (urinary tract obstruction). This is because the drug may increase muscle contractions in the urinary tract, which can worsen the blockage and lead to complications.

If you have a urinary tract obstruction, talk with your doctor before taking Mestinon. They’ll likely prescribe a different treatment for your condition.

Having had an allergic reaction to Mestinon or any of its ingredients

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Mestinon or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Note: Before you start treatment with Mestinon, it’s important to tell your doctor if these contraindications apply to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Mestinon.

There aren’t any known interactions between Mestinon and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol while taking the drug may worsen some of Mestinon’s side effects. For example, you may experience worsened nausea or vomiting.

If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Mestinon, talk with your doctor.

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Mestinon.

Corticosteroids

Doctors prescribe corticosteroids to ease inflammation related to many conditions. This includes autoimmune conditions such as myasthenia gravis.

Interaction result: Taking Mestinon with a corticosteroid may increase the risk of muscle weakness as a side effect of either drug.

Interaction explained: Both Mestinon and corticosteroids can cause muscle weakness when taken individually. Taking these medications together may increase the risk of this side effect.

Examples of corticosteroid drugs: Here are some corticosteroids that may interact with Mestinon:

• budesonide (Uceris, Tarpeyo, others)
• dexamethasone (Hemady)
• methylprednisolone (Medrol)
• prednisone (Rayos)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before starting treatment with Mestinon, tell your doctor if you’re taking a corticosteroid. They can tell you whether it’s safe to take these medications together.

If your doctor prescribes a corticosteroid while you’re taking Mestinon, they may temporarily stop Mestinon treatment. They’ll likely have you wait at least 24 hours to start taking the corticosteroid. Your doctor will tell you when it’s safe to start taking Mestinon again.

To learn more about Mestinon and corticosteroids, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

NSAIDs

Some people take NSAIDs to ease inflammation, pain, and fever. Certain NSAIDs are available over the counter (OTC), meaning you don’t need a prescription to purchase them.

Interaction result: Taking Mestinon with an NSAID may increase the risk of digestive side effects from either drug.

Interaction explained: Mestinon and NSAIDs can cause digestive side effects, including nausea and diarrhea. Taking these drugs together may worsen these side effects.

Examples of NSAIDs: Here are some NSAIDs that may interact with Mestinon:

• meloxicam
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• naproxen (Anaprox DS, Naprosyn, others)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before starting treatment with Mestinon, tell your doctor if you take an NSAID. They can tell you whether it’s safe to take these medications together.

Before taking any OTC pain reliever with Mestinon, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can advise you on which OTC products are safe to take with this drug.

To learn more about Mestinon and NSAIDs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

TCAs

Doctors prescribe TCAs to treat conditions including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more.

Interaction result: Taking Mestinon with a TCA could make Mestinon less effective.

Interaction explained: TCAs may worsen symptoms of myasthenia gravis, including muscle weakness. Doctors prescribe Mestinon to treat myasthenia gravis. Taking Mestinon with a TCA could make Mestinon less effective for this use.

Examples of TCA drugs: Here are some TCAs that may interact with Mestinon:

• amitriptyline
• clomipramine (Anafranil)
• desipramine (Norpramin)
• doxepin (Silenor)
• nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before you start Mestinon treatment, tell your doctor if you’re taking a TCA. They can recommend whether it’s safe to take these drugs together.

To learn more about Mestinon and TCAs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Mestinon may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Mestinon.

Mestinon interactions with supplements

Mestinon may interact with magnesium supplements. This is because magnesium could worsen symptoms of myasthenia gravis, including muscle weakness. Doctors prescribe Mestinon to treat myasthenia gravis. Taking Mestinon with a magnesium supplement could make it less effective for this use.

Before you start treatment with Mestinon, tell your doctor and pharmacist which supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Mestinon and herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Mestinon. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Mestinon treatment.

Mestinon and vitamins or minerals

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Mestinon. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future.

It’s also important to note that some multivitamins may contain magnesium. Mestinon may interact with magnesium supplements. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Mestinon.

Mestinon and food

Although magnesium supplements may interact with Mestinon, there were no reports of food interactions with the drug. There is usually much less magnesium in food, such as spinach and avocado, than in a magnesium supplement.

If you have additional questions about eating certain foods during Mestinon treatment, talk with your doctor.

Mestinon and vaccines

There are no known interactions between Mestinon and vaccines. You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Mestinon and lab tests

Mestinon is not known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.

MESTINON AND CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Mestinon. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Mestinon. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Mestinon treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Mestinon. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Mestinon may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Mestinon include:

• Asthma: Before taking Mestinon, be sure to tell your doctor if you have asthma. The drug may increase the production of mucus in your airways, which could worsen asthma. Your doctor can recommend whether Mestinon is a safe treatment option.
• Kidney problems: If you have a kidney condition, such as kidney failure, talk with your doctor before taking Mestinon. This condition may increase your risk of side effects from Mestinon. To reduce this risk, your doctor may prescribe a lower Mestinon dosage than is typical.
• Blockage in the intestines: Doctors typically won’t prescribe Mestinon for people with a blockage in the intestines. For details, see the “When to avoid Mestinon” section above.
• Blockage in the urinary tract: Doctors typically won’t prescribe Mestinon for people with a urinary tract obstruction. For details, see the “When to avoid Mestinon” section above.
• Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Mestinon or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Mestinon. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
• Breastfeeding: It is unknown whether it’s safe to take Mestinon while breastfeeding. There isn’t enough information to determine whether the drug passes into breast milk or what effects Mestinon may have on a child who’s breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before taking Mestinon. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed your child.
• Pregnancy: There haven’t been enough clinical trials to determine whether Mestinon is safe to take while pregnant. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Mestinon. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you.

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Mestinon. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

• Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
• Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Mestinon label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Mestinon doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Mestinon by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.