What should I watch for?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine. It may be several weeks before you see the full effects. Do not stop this medicine except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine 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 medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
This medicine can reduce the response of your body to heat or cold. Dress warm in cold weather and stay hydrated in hot weather. If possible, avoid extreme temperatures like saunas, hot tubs, very hot or cold showers, or activities that can cause dehydration such as vigorous exercise.
Common and Rare Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
body aches or pain
chills
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with swallowing
ear congestion
frequent urge to urinate
headache
hyperventilation
inability to sit still
irregular heartbeats
irritability
loss of balance control
loss of voice
lower back or side pain
mask-like face
need to keep moving
nervousness
restlessness
runny or stuffy nose
shaking
shuffling walk
slowed movements
slurred speech
stiffness of the arms and legs
tic-like (jerky) movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck
trembling and shaking of the fingers and hands
trouble with sleeping
twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
Blurred vision
difficulty with speaking
dizziness
inability to move the eyes
increase in body movements
increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
loss of balance control
muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
pounding in the ears
slow or fast heartbeat
sticking out of the tongue
uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
unusual facial expressions
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
