METHYPRYLON

Brand & Generic Names

Noludar

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Sedative (hypnotic)

Uses

Treats insomnia.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsules or tablets--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, open capsule and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At bedtime.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Increases threshold of arousal centers in the midbrain.

Time lapse before drug works:
Within 45 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine that will affect alertness or reflexes.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Confusion, difficulty breathing, slow heartbeat, staggering, severe weakness, convulsions, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Coma. Seek emergency treatment immediately.

Common:

Dizziness, headache, daytime drowsiness.

Infrequent:

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, unusual excitement, blurred vision, constipation.

Rare:

Mouth ulcers, unusual bleeding or bruising, depression, fever.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You have a history of drug abuse.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have liver disease.
• If you have intermittent porphyria.
• If you have significant kidney disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended. Avoid.

Prolonged use:

• Not intended for prolonged use.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit).

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
These symptoms may occur after medicine has been discontinued: confusion, seizures, hallucinations, increased dreaming, vomiting, nightmares, restlessness, trembling, insomnia, weakness.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Addictive drugs*,	Increased risk of habituation.
Central nervous	Increased sedative effect, perhaps
system (CNS)	to dangerous level. Avoid.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either drug.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of
	both drugs.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Excess sedation. Avoid.
Caffeine drinks.	Decreased methyprylon effect.
	Avoid.
Cocaine:	Decreased methyprylon effect.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Decreased methyprylon effect.
Tobacco:	None expected.