Patient/caregiver was educated on how to take Tessalon Perles as follows:

1. Take this medication as ordered by your physician. Do not change the dose and frequency on this medication without consulting your doctor.
2. Take the medication dose at the same time, every day, to avoid forgetting the intake of medication. Take the medication dose for the duration prescribed without fail.
3. Swallow the Tessalon Perles capsule as a whole, using a glass of water. Do not chew or suck on the capsule, with the capsule in the mouth. Also, do not break or cut the capsule.
4. Chewing the capsule in the mouth can result in release and absorption of the medication in the mouth, thus compromising the therapeutic benefit of medication intake. Also, chewing or sucking the capsule in the mouth can result in loss of sensation and numbness of the oral cavity and pharynx.
5. The numbness of the oral cavity and pharynx can compromise the act of swallowing of any food material and result in choking and airway compromise, until the effects of the medication wear off. If you experience any numbness or loss of sensation of the oral cavity, do not eat or drink anything, until the numbness resolves. If the numbness does not resolve in 3 – 4 hour window or if it gets worse or if you experience any difficulty breathing, report to your physician immediately for further help.
6. If you encounter difficulty swallowing the whole capsule, report it to your physician, for an alternative plan of treatment to be considered.
7. Do not take Tessalon Perles with alcohol, any opioid pain medications, such as, hydrocodone and codeine, antihistamines, antiseizure medications, muscle relaxants, and antianxiety medications, as these products can add to the risk of choking due to Tessalon Perles and lead to complications.
8. Tessalon Perles intake can also result in some dizziness and confusion. Taking this medication with alcohol products, opioid pain medications, antihistamines, antianxiety medications, and antidepressants can add to the dizziness and confusion, thus leading to complications. If the dizziness becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered. Stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by Tessalon Perles intake.
9. Keep your medication out of reach with any children in the house, as accidental ingestion of the medication can result in serious episodes of choking and airway compromise. Also, individuals upon accidental ingestion or overdose, can present with restlessness, anxiety, seizures, sudden cardiac arrest, which can be fatal.
10. Notify your doctor of any unresolved and worsening numbness in the mouth, any difficulty breathing, seizures, episodes of uncontrolled anxiety and restlessness, or other continuing unpleasant side-effects, so that, your dosage on the medication could be revised or alternative plan of treatment considered.
11. If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.