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What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving methylnaltrexone (Relistor)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methylnaltrexone, or if you have a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

To make sure you can safely use methylnaltrexone, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• cancer;
• a stomach ulcer; or
• colitis or other intestinal disorder.

FDA pregnancy category B. Methylnaltrexone is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether methylnaltrexone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is methylnaltrexone used (Relistor)?

Methylnaltrexone is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

This medication is usually given once every other day, but not more often than once every 24 hours.

Methylnaltrexone can produce a bowel movement within 30 minutes after injection.

Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. After loading a syringe, if you cannot give the injection right away keep it at room temperature and use it within 24 hours.

Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Each single use vial (bottle) of this medicine is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medicine left in it after injecting your dose.

Methylnaltrexone should look clear or slightly yellow in color. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze.

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