DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Mepenzolate (me-PEN-zoe-late)
Brand Name: Cantil

Mepenzolate is used for:

Treating ulcers, in combination with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Mepenzolate is an anticholinergic. It works by decreasing stomach acid production and blocking pepsin, a digestive enzyme that can be irritating to the stomach lining.

Do NOT use Mepenzolate if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Mepenzolate (including tartrazine) or to similar medicines
• you have glaucoma, an inflamed esophagus due to reflux disease, difficulty swallowing, certain stomach or bowel problems (eg, blockage, paralysis or weak muscles, toxic megacolon, ulcerative colitis or other severe inflammation), urinary tract blockage, heart problems due to bleeding, or myasthenia gravis

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Mepenzolate :

Some medical conditions may interact with Mepenzolate . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of nerve problems, prostate problems, heart problems, (eg, fast or irregular heartbeat, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure), high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, difficulty urinating, stomach or bowel problems, liver or kidney problems, or hiatal hernia, or if you are at risk for glaucoma
• if you have a colostomy or ileostomy

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Mepenzolate . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Amantadine, antiarrhythmic medicines (eg, quinidine), antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine), antipsychotic medicines (eg, chlorpromazine), benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), narcotic pain medicines (eg, meperidine), nitrates (eg, nitroglycerin, isosorbide), nitrites (eg, sodium nitrite), sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the actions or side effects of Mepenzolate may be increased
• Digoxin because risk of side effects may be increased by Mepenzolate
• Metoclopramide or phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine) because effectiveness may be decreased by Mepenzolate

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Mepenzolate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Mepenzolate :

Use Mepenzolate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Mepenzolate with meals and at bedtime unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• If you are also taking antacids, you may need to take them separately from Mepenzolate . Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are also taking antacids.
• If you miss a dose of Mepenzolate , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Mepenzolate .

Important safety information:

• Mepenzolate may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Mepenzolate . Using Mepenzolate alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Mepenzolate will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other activities; heatstroke may occur.
• Mepenzolate may cause your eyes to become sensitive to sunlight. Wearing sunglasses may help.
• Some of these products contain tartrazine dye (FD&C Yellow No. 5), which can cause allergic reactions in certain patients. This type of reaction may be more likely if you have an aspirin allergy or sensitivity. If you have previously had an allergic reaction to tartrazine dye, contact your pharmacist to determine if the product you are taking contains tartrazine dye.
• Use Mepenzolate with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Use Mepenzolate with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Mepenzolate during pregnancy. It is unknown if Mepenzolate is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Mepenzolate , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Mepenzolate :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Bloated feeling; blurred vision; constipation; decreased sweating; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; loss of taste; nausea; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; clumsiness; coma; confusion; decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; difficulty in urinating; difficulty sleeping; disorientation; exaggerated sense of well-being; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; inappropriate mannerisms and emotions; nervousness; pounding in the chest; prolonged or severe tiredness; restlessness; short-term memory loss; slurred speech; tiredness; unusual weakness; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing; dilated pupils; hot and dry skin; muscle weakness; paralysis; vomiting.

Proper storage of Mepenzolate :

Store Mepenzolate at room temperature, preferably below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Mepenzolate out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Mepenzolate , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Mepenzolate is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Mepenzolate . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.