NeuroTalk Support Groups - Question about Timespan

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Question about Timespan

Anyone familiar with Timespan? I know it is supposed to stay in the system for 12 hours, slowly releasing the medication. How long does it actually last, in your experience. I think I have a very FAST digestive tract, having suffered damage from radiation treatment. For example, if I have corn for supper, I see the end product the next morning! :D Obviously, the Timespan can't be releasing the medication right to the bitter end! How long do you think it is actually benefitting me, and would it be better for me to set a clock, and wake up to take a regular 60 mg during the night? I'm currently on 1 Timespan at night, and 1 60 mg of regular Mestinon every 3 or 4 hours through the day. Today I felt super fatigued in the morning, even after taking my breakfast pill, and didn't feel like the medicine had "caught up" until I had taken the 11 am pill. Then I felt able to cope as long as I took a pill every 3 or 4 hours.

hi Lois,
The Timespan works strangely I think...it feels like it releases a big amount shortly after you take it then does nothing for a while then gives another boost - seems like it lasts about 6-7 hours for me but it isn't a nice even six-seven hours. I just take the 60mg round the clock. I used to set an alarm, now I just wake up when I start having trouble swallowing sometimes I go 6 hours sometimes only 3 or 4. If I skip a dose I have trouble catching up too. Takes a couple of doses in the morning 'til I catch up. I usually have to get up in the night to use the bathroom so I just take the 60 then.
Gabe

Thanks, Gabe. I wonder if after (or even before) the 6 or 7 hours, my Timespan is too far down in my very active gut for the medication to continue to be absorbed. I've got to research the intestines, I guess, and see how far along absorbtion is possible. Unless someone knows, to save me the trouble?
I think tonight I'll try your method, Gabe. If the MG brain fog will let me remember! :D If I remember, I'll post tomorrow and tell you what the result was.
Your MG sounds very like mine. But one of the first symptoms I notice if I'm late on a pill is that it gets harder to breathe. Then my voice starts to fade. I'm sure there are other symptoms, too, but those are the ones that jab me and say: "Hey, stupid, you forgot the pill again!!!" :D

try this reference:

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic2/p...igmine_ids.htm

Really rapid GI transit times, with the flu etc would be a problem.
But transit of 8 hrs may not significantly alter the sustained release as much.

Quote:

Timespan Tablets each containing 180 mg pyridostigmine bromide. This form provides uniformly slow release, hence prolonged duration of drug action; it facilitates control of myasthenic symptoms with fewer individual doses daily. The immediate effect of a 180-mg Timespan Tablet is about equal to that of a 60-mg Conventional Tablet; however, its duration of effectiveness, although varying in individual patients, averages 2 1 / 2 times that of a 60-mg dose....Timespan Tablets One to three 180-mg tablets, once or twice daily, will usually be sufficient to control symptoms; however, the needs of certain individuals may vary markedly from this average. The interval between doses should be at least 6 hours. For optimum control, it may be necessary to use the more rapidly acting regular tablets or syrup in conjunction with Timespan therapy.

also this is helpful:
http://www.rxmed.com/b.main/b2.pharm.../MESTINON.html

In general people vary in response to this drug:
http://jnnp.bmjjournals.com/cgi/cont...ract/46/10/929
There may be other reasons besides GI transit times.

I'm continuing this thread on the myasthenia gravis forum. Since DocJohn was nice enough to give us our own, I think we should use it. :D
See you there!