Methylnaltrexone Subcutaneous

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 use it.

methylnaltrexone may cause a tear (perforation) in your stomach or bowels. Check with your doctor right away if you have a severe stomach pain that does not go away.

If severe or persistent (non-stop) diarrhea occurs while using methylnaltrexone injection, check with your doctor right away.

Do not suddenly stop using methylnaltrexone without checking first with your doctor. Doing so may cause symptoms, such as anxiety, chills, diarrhea, irritability, stomach pain, sweating, and yawning.

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

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Diarrhea
• increased sweating

• Bloody, black, or tarry stools
• heartburn
• indigestion
• nausea
• severe abdominal or stomach pain, cramping, or burning
• trouble breathing
• vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds, severe and continuing

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

• Chills
• cold sweats
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position

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:

• Bloated
• dizziness
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• full feeling
• passing gas
• stomach pain

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.

This medication is used to treat constipation caused by opioid (narcotic) medication. It blocks the effect of opioids on the gut without blocking the effect on pain. Methylnaltrexone belongs to a class of medications known as opioid antagonists.

How to use Methylnaltrexone Kit

Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using methylnaltrexone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Inject this medication under the skin in the upper arm, abdomen, or thigh. Your doctor might direct you to use this medication once a day on a set schedule, or direct you to use it every other day as needed. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not use more than once in 24 hours. Do not inject into a muscle or vein.

If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional and the product package. The solution is normally clear and colorless to pale yellow. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. It is important to change the location of the injection site with each dose to avoid problem areas under the skin.

The dosage is based on your weight, medical condition, and response to treatment. Carefully check that you have drawn the correct dose into the syringe. The markings on the syringe measure the amount of liquid (milliliters/mL), not the amount of medication (milligrams/mg). For example, if your doctor has directed you to use 8 milligrams of medication, draw the liquid up to the 0.4-milliliter mark on the syringe. A 12-milligram dose is 0.6 milliliters. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or if you are not sure how to measure your dose.

Ask your doctor if you should continue using your usual medications for constipation. This medication is used only for constipation caused by opioids. Stop using methylnaltrexone when you stop using opioid pain medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Make sure you are close to a bathroom after using this medication. This medication works quickly. Most people have a bowel movement within a few minutes to a few hours after using this medication.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Before using methylnaltrexone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: stomach/intestinal problems (such as blockage, ulcers, tumors, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis), kidney disease, liver disease.

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Missed Dose

For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist right away to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

If you have drawn the medication into the syringe but are not able to use it right away, you may store it at room temperature for 24 hours. Discard after 24 hours. Each vial is for a single use only. Discard any unused medication remaining in the vial after removing your dose.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.Information last revised September 2016. Copyright(c) 2016 First Databank, Inc.