Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your care team's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take.
This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
You must have a weekly blood test when you first begin this medication. If your blood counts stay in the right range, your tests may be reduced after 6 months to every other week. Your name will go on a national registry of patients who take this medication, to make sure that you have never had a serious reaction to it.
This medication can cause constipation. Talk to your care team if you have bowel movements less often than usual or if you have less than 3 bowel movements per week. Call if stool is hard or dry, or if you have trouble passing gas. Contact your care team right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or stomach swelling or pain. Drink plenty of water.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medication. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Do not treat yourself for colds, fever, diarrhea, or allergies. Ask your care team for advice, some nonprescription medications may increase possible side effects.
This medication may increase blood sugar. Ask your care team if changes in diet or medications are needed if you have diabetes.
If you smoke, tell your care team if you notice this medication is not working well for you. Talk to your care team if you are a smoker or if you decide to stop smoking.
If you are going to have surgery tell your care team that you are taking this medication.
This medication can cause problems with controlling your body temperature. It can lower the response of your body to cold temperatures. If possible, stay indoors during cold weather. If you must go outdoors, wear warm clothes. It can also lower the response of your body to heat. Do not overheat. Do not over-exercise. Stay out of the sun when possible. If you must be in the sun, wear cool clothing. Drink plenty of water. If you have trouble controlling your body temperature, call your care team right away.
This product may contain aspartame, which is a source of phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), contact your care team for advice.