Nursing Teaching on Side Effects of Tessalon Perles

 Nurse educated the patient and caregiver on the side-effects of using Tessalon Perles as follows:
  1. General allergic reactions: Tessalon Perles use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching. Some patients can present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response with Tessalon Perles, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
  2. Central nervous system side-effects: Tessalon Perles intake can sometimes induce some dizziness, drowsiness, hallucinations, and make one confused. Watching closely for the therapeutic response and gradually changing the dose, to help optimum control of your cough and other symptoms, can contribute to controlling/reducing the risk for drowsiness and dizziness due to the medication. 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.
  3. Gastrointestinal side-effects: Tessalon Perles use can result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea and vomiting, especially when taken on empty stomach. Taking dose of Tessalon Perles with a glass of water, after having some food or a snack can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication. Tessalon Perles use can also induce constipation. Proper hydration measures and compliance with daily fluid intake recommendations can help with relief from constipation. If you experience any further bothersome constipation, report it to your physician for a recommendation on laxative/stool softener use. Observing compliance with fiber intake recommendations in the diet can also help with preventing episodes of constipation with the medication.
  4. Respiratory side-effects: Tessalon Perles use in individuals with productive cough can result in suppression of the cough, but contribute to the thick mucus secretions getting accumulated in the respiratory tract. This can lead to development of chest tightness, increased shortness of breath, and contribute to development of respiratory infections with fever, rapid heart rate, productive cough, and episodes of confusion. 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. 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.