Patient/caregiver was educated on the precautions to be observed while taking dalmane as follows:
- Dalmane use in expectant mothers could harm the unborn baby and result in pregnancy complications and birth defects in newborn. So, dalmane use should best be avoided during pregnancy and in women planning to get pregnant. Women in the child-bearing age group, taking dalmane, must employ effective contraceptive measures in order to avoid getting pregnant. The possibility of a woman being pregnant should be explored before initiating therapy with dalmane.
- Consider life-style changes such as, avoiding daytime naps, avoiding caffeinated drinks closer to sleep time, and having some regular physical exercise can complement dalmane intake, promote sleep, and establish sleep pattern.
- Your physician could change the dose of dalmane, based on the relief obtained from symptoms of insomnia or side-effects developed. So, maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments, as scheduled. Be accommodative to the plan of dose changes, until you show an optimum response.
- If a dose is missed, it can be skipped and take the scheduled dose on time. Compensating for the missed dose by taking an extra dose can pose serious risk for toxicity and side-effects. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
- Caregivers should be aware and keep a close watch on the symptoms of overdose with dalmane. Individuals can present with severe confusion, dizziness, very low blood pressure numbers, loss of consciousness, and coma. In the event of an overdose, seek emergency medical service to prevent fatal outcome.
