Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Tessalon Perles as follows:
- Tessalon Perles, by numbing the airways and respiratory tissues, reduces the sensitivity of respiratory tissues to stimulation by any irritants, such as, dust particles and chemicals, and thus suppresses the cough. In this process, Tessalon Perles can also desensitize the mucosa of the mouth, leading to reduced sensitivity of the oral cavity. 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. This can result in any foreign objects and food particles in the mouth enter the respiratory tract easily and contribute to emergency situation of aspiration or choking. Sitting upright while eating, limiting distractions during meal time, taking small bites, and chewing thoroughly before swallowing, can be effective measures in preventing episodes of aspiration. If you experience any severe 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 acute episode of difficulty breathing, report to your physician or other health care personnel immediately for further help.
- 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.
