Distinon Tablet is used to treat myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness). Besides this, Distinon Tablet also treats paralytic ileus (a rare form of constipation), postoperative urinary retention, and prophylaxis to military exposure to any nerve poisoning gas. Myasthenia gravis is a long-term neuromuscular disease that leads to musculoskeletal weakness caused by excess activity of a protein (cholinesterase protein).

Distinon Tablet contains ‘Pyridostigmine’, which works by stopping the excessive cholinesterase activity (an enzyme required for the breakdown of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine) involved in communication between nerve impulses and muscle movements. Thereby, Distinon Tablet helps in proper muscle functioning and prevents muscle weakness. 

Take Distinon Tablet 30-60 minutes before food. Swallow Distinon Tablet as a whole; do not crush or chew the tablet. You are advised to take Distinon Tablet as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects, such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating, cough with mucus, rash, muscle cramps, and blurred vision. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.

Inform your doctor before taking Distinon Tablet if you have asthma, high blood pressure, glaucoma, breathing problems, coronary obstruction, stomach ulcer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, or kidney problems. Consult your doctor before taking Distinon Tablet if you are pregnant before taking Distinon Tablet if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Distinon Tablet may cause dizziness and vision problems, so drive or operate machinery only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Distinon Tablet as it may cause increased dizziness. Distinon Tablet can be given to children if prescribed by the doctor; the dose depends upon the child’s age. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines you are taking to rule out unpleasant side effects.

Distinon Tablet belongs to the group of medicines called cholinesterase inhibitors used to treat myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness). Distinon Tablet works by stopping the excessive activity of cholinesterase, thus helping the muscles to work properly. Additionally, Distinon Tablet is also used to treat paralytic ileus (a rare form of constipation), postoperative urinary retention, and prophylaxis to soman nerve agent poisoning. Distinon Tablet affects the chemicals in the body which are involved in communication between nerve impulses and muscle movements. Thereby, Distinon Tablet helps in treating myasthenia gravis.

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Increased salivation (drooling)
• Sweating, cough with mucus
• Rash
• Muscle cramps
• Blurred vision

Do not take Distinon Tablet if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you are constipated or cannot urinate unless prescribed by the doctor. Inform your doctor before taking Distinon Tablet if you have asthma, high blood pressure, glaucoma, breathing problems, coronary obstruction, stomach ulcer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, kidney problems, vagotonia (overactive vagus nerves), overactive thyroid; if you have had surgery to remove thymus gland or if you due to have any surgery. Consult your doctor before taking Distinon Tablet if you are pregnant before taking Distinon Tablet if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Distinon Tablet may cause dizziness and vision problems; so, drive or operate machinery only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Distinon Tablet as it may cause increased dizziness. 

Drug-Drug Interactions: Distinon Tablet may have interaction with anticholinergic (atropine, glycopyrrolate), corticosteroids (prednisone), and skeletal muscle relaxant (succinylcholine).

Drug-Food Interactions:  No interactions found/established.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Distinon Tablet may have interactions with asthma, high blood pressure, glaucoma, bradycardia (slow heart rate), bronchospasm, Parkinsonism, seizures, hyperthyroidism, peptic ulcer disease, and coronary artery disease.

• ATROPINE
• GLYCOPYRROLATE
• PREDNISONE
• SUCCINYLCHOLINE

• Maintain a healthy weight. Include vegetables, fruits and grains in your diet.
• Diet low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol would be helpful.
• Use salt and sugars in moderation.
• Avoid consumption of alcohol.
• Avoid processed and fried foods.
• Try eating soft, mashed, or pureed foods as they are easy to swallow.
• Avoid dry, chunky and chewy foods.
• Regularly sip water during meals and snacks as it helps to moisten and soften the food. 
• Add thickening agents to liquid foods as liquid foods may get into the lungs and cause choking.
• Be careful while swallowing foods and liquids.

• Distinon Tablet might stop or increase the effects of skeletal muscle relaxants used in the surgery. Inform the doctor that you are taking Distinon Tablet .

• You should not use Distinon Tablet if you have a bladder or bowel obstruction.

• Distinon Tablet is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old. 

• Prolonged use of Distinon Tablet may cause gastrointestinal side effects due to increased gut peristalsis causing abdominal cramping, frequent bowel movements, or diarrhoea. However, these side effects can be managed with OTC items antidiarrheal preparations. 

Myasthenia gravis: It is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease which causes skeletal muscle weakness. The immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissue, leading to damage of the neuromuscular membrane. This reduces the effect of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter which is crucial for the communication between nerve cells and muscles. Myasthenia gravis occurs when the communication between nerve cells and muscles becomes impaired. This prevents crucial muscle contractions, thereby leading to muscle weakness. The most affected muscles are those of the face and eyes. Symptoms of myasthenia gravis include double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty chewing or swallowing, weakness, problems with lifting objects, and trouble talking and walking.

Paralytic ileus: It is a condition in which there is obstruction of the intestine due to paralysis of intestinal muscles. This prevents the passage of food and leads to their accumulation in the intestine. Paralytic ileus occurs due to malfunctioning of nerves and muscles in the intestine, thereby impairing digestive movement.