Side Effect |
Management Plan |
Increase in heart rate |
|
Postural hypotension |
-
Drink warm water
- Do not lie down within the first 30 minutes after taking the medication
|
Nausea and vomiting |
-
Drink warm water
- Do not lie down within the first 30 minutes after taking the medication
|
Drowsy and tiredness |
|
Headache and dizziness |
-
Condition will improve in around a week’s time
-
Stay positive, exercise regularly and keep a daily routine
- If the condition persists, please notify your doctor on check-up
|
Hand tremour |
|
Weight gain |
-
Control diet
-
Exercise regularly
- Notify your doctor on check-up
|
Blurred vision |
- Notify your doctor on check-up
|
Dry mouth |
-
Sip on water frequently
-
Rinse mouth with water
- Sucking on ice, sugar-free sweets or chewing sugar-free chewing gum
|
Constipation |
- Drink 6-8 glasses of water (240ml x8)
- Eat lots of green vegetables, fresh fruits and food that is high in fibre
- Exercise daily and massage the lower abdomen
|
Urinary retention |
|
Photosensitivity |
|
Doctors may prescribe other medicines to alleviate the side effects. Most common ones are Benzhexol and Benztropine, which mainly improves tremour and abnormal muscle contraction. However, they have their own adverse effects which are generally lighter, for example, dry mouth, cognitive changes and constipation. If it is in overdose, patients may appear psychotic.
Note 1
Postural hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up or stretching, it causes symptoms such as head rush, dizzy spells, blurred vision, weakness and in rare cases fainting/ syncope.