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Proper Use
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. Methylnaltrexone may be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital. If you are using this medicine at home, your doctor will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand exactly how the medicine is prepared and injected .
This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions .
You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you change body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections. Do not inject into skin areas that are bruised, red, tender, or hard .
Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine .
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For injection dosage form:
- For constipation caused by opioids:
- Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- For constipation caused by opioids:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store unopened vials of this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. An open vial of medicine must be used right away.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets .
