Pyridostigmine (Mestinon) Shortage in UK
You may be among the many frantic over the pyridostigmine (mestinon) shortage in the United Kingdom.
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How has this affected you? Has your doctor adjust your treatment to accommodate? Have you had luck sourcing any mestinon or a smaller dose tablet?
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June 12, 2023, https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/publications/DC20230525Pyridostigmine.pdf, was initially stated to be when resupply would commence. Have you received an update about access for you becoming available again?
- Jodi, Team Member
Hi Jodi, I'm new to the forums today. In the UK there was production difficulties with Mestinon initially followed by the generic versions of pyridostigmine running out in late May. Supply of the generic tablets was supposed to recommence week starting 12/6/23 [uk formal!] but there was nothing to be found last week, not even liquid. The pharmacies have mestinon supply supposedly starting 28/7/23 and generic tablets sometime in June [wholesaler information on ordering screens].
I only developed MG last year [thymoma, crisis, bulbar/ respiratory symptoms++] and am still taking 300mg pyridostigmine daily as I cautiously reduce my prednisone. I had multiple admissions last Autumn [Fall] and at the time it occurred to me that there was no alternative drug should there be a mestinon supply issue. I therefore managed to put by 2 bottles of 200 tabs by keeping my hospital take homes and requesting fresh from my Primary Care Doctor [general practitioner]. I therefore have supply for another few weeks.
It is disturbing that the apparent initial cause of the shortage [mestinon production] is not forecast to be normalised for several more weeks. One hopes that an increased supply of the generic tablets becomes available.
I feel for anyone caught out by this issue and urge them to ensure keeping at least one bottle as a backup when tablets are freely available again
