Adult Dosing

Moderately severe to severe essential hypertension and in uncomplicated cases of malignant hypertension

• Start 2.5 mg PO qday, may be increased by increments of 2.5 mg at intervals of not less than 2 days
• Average total daily dose: 25 mg divided tid

Pediatric Dosing

• Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established

• Moderately severe to severe essential hypertension and in uncomplicated cases of malignant hypertension

• Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the product
• Coronary insufficiency
• Recent myocardial infarction
• Glaucoma
• Organic pyloric stenosis

• N/A

Renal Dose Adjustment

• Renal impairment: Dose adjustments not defined

Hepatic Dose Adjustment

• Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustments not defined

• Therapy may be associated with tremors, choreiform movements, mental aberrations and convulsions
• Sudden discontinuation of therapy may lead to increase in hypertensive levels
• Discontinuation of therapy in patients with malignant hypertension may cause fatal cerebral vascular accidents or acute congestive heart failure
• When there is a need to discontinue therapy, dose should be gradually reduced and other antihypertensive therapy usually must be substituted
• Carefully evaluate patient's condition before initiating therapy, particularly as to renal and cardiovascular function
• Use cautiously in patients with marked cerebral and coronary arteriosclerosis or after a recent cerebral accident
• The action of mecamylamine may be potentiated by excessive heat, fever, infection, hemorrhage, pregnancy, anesthesia, surgery, vigorous exercise, other antihypertensive drugs and alcohol; caution advised
• During therapy, sodium intake should not be restricted
• Use cautiously in patients with prostatic hypertrophy, bladder neck obstruction, and urethral stricture as urinary retention may occur

Pregnancy Category:C

Breastfeeding: It is unknown if this drug is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from mecamylamine, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

• CNS: Convulsions, weakness, fatigue, sedation, choreiform movements, mental aberrations, tremor, paresthesias
• GI: Ileus, constipation, vomiting, nausea, anorexia, glossitis, dryness of mouth
• CV: Orthostatic dizziness, syncope, postural hypotension
• RESP: Interstitial pulmonary edema, fibrosis
• GU: Urinary retention, impotence, decreased libido
• EENT: Blurred vision, dilated pupils

• Ganglionic blocker, reduces blood pressure in both normotensive and hypertensive individuals by inhibiting Ach at autonomic ganglia resulting in decrease in blood pressure
• Almost completely absorbed from the GI tract
• Metabolism: Unknown
• Excretion: Excreted in urine in unchanged form
• Half-Life: Unknown

US Trade Name(s)

• Vecamyl

US Availability

mecamylamine (generic)

• TABS: 2.5 mg

Vecamyl

• TABS: 2.5 mg

Canadian Trade Name(s)

• N/A

Canadian Availability

• N/A

UK Trade Name(s)

• N/A

UK Availability

• N/A

Australian Trade Name(s)

• N/A

Australian Availability

• N/A

Gastrointestinal

Antiemetics

Miscellaneous Agents

Drug Name: Mecamylamine 2.5 MG Oral Tablet

Ingredient(s): Mecamylamine

Imprint: LBS01

Color(s): Yellow

Shape: Round

Size (mm): 6.00

Score: 1

Inactive Ingredient(s): acacia powder / lactose powder / cornstarch powder / calcium phosphate dihydrate / yellow lake blend, lb-282 / talc / magnesium sterate / water

Drug Label Author:
Targacept, Inc.

DEA Schedule:
Non-Scheduled