Mestinon Savings Certificates

[BuddyLeesWife]

Following is a link to a savings certificate for Mestinon (up to $20). We are lucky that our insurance covers it so our co-pay is minimal. It is only good for the 60mg tablets. This program is set to end on November 15th but the coupons will be honored until March 2006. I included the letter from the manufacturer

http://www.mestinon.com/coupon.jspf - for coupon

http://www.myasthenia.org/mgfa/Mestinon_letter.doc - manufacturer letter

[michiganjan]

My goodness, I just got a prescription for Mestinon from Dr. Grubb. And here you go and post this coupon.

Thanks a bunch!

[LisaColumbus]

Thanks for posting this, I will use it for my next refill

[BuddyLeesWife]

The following is from the Myasthenia Gravis website ( http://www.myasthenia.org/information/Mestinon.htm ) regarding Mestinon. It seems as though the Timespan, extended release form of the drug is for people who need to take it during the night or they wake up too weak in the morning. I read somewhere else that if you have any type of motility issues, you will most likely get an inconsistent dose of the medication when using the extended release form (of course, I can't find that statement now but I'll keep looking). The info below does say that the absorption can be erratic and the side effects more likely when using the Timespan version. We are planning to stick with the 60mg tablets.

Are all pyridostigmine or Mestinon? preparations equal?

No!

Regular pyridostigmine or Mestinon? comes in two forms: Mestinon? 60 mg. tablets and Mestinon Syrup? 60 mg./5 ml. The greatest effect usually occurs in 60 to 90 minutes and lasts for 3 to 4 hours.

Mestinon Timespan? is an extended release form of pyridostigmine that slowly releases its active ingredients over an approximately 12-hour period. When prescribed, Mestinon Timespan? is usually given as a bedtime dose so the patient does not need to awaken for every 3 to 4 hour dose of regular Mestinon?.

Mestinon Timespan? should never be substituted for regular Mestinon?.or generic pyridostigmine.

Mestinon Timespan? should never be crushed.

The possible adverse effects of Mestinon Timespan? are the same as those for regular Mestinon? or generic pyridostigmine , but are possibly more likely to occur.

The absorption and effect of Mestinon Timespan? are sometimes erratic. Some physicians and patients prefer to schedule nighttime doses of regular Mestinon? or generic pyridostigmine.

Regonol Solution for Injection? 5 mg./ml. is sometimes required when patients cannot take anything by mouth. The physician will prescribe 1/30th of the usual oral dose by IM injection or very slow IV administration.

No single fixed dose schedule will suit all patients with MG, whose medication requirements vary from time to time, day to day, and in response to stress or infection.

Different muscles respond differently to a given dose of Mestinon? or generic pyridostigmine. The physician will select a dose that produces the best response in the most vitally affected muscles.