• Instruct patient to take tetrabenazine as directed. Do not take more or stop taking tetrabenazine without consulting health care professional. Dose adjustment may take several wk. Discuss procedure for missed doses with health care professional before beginning therapy; do not double doses. If a dose is missed or medication discontinued, involuntary movements will return or worsen in 12–18 hrs. If tetrabenazine is stopped for more than 5 days, consult health care professional before taking another dose; lower dose may be required.

• Advise patient and family to monitor for changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts or feelings. If new or worse feelings of sadness or crying spells, lack of interest in friends or activities, sleeping a lot more or less, feelings of unimportance, guilt, hopelessness or helplessness, irritability or aggression, more or less hungry, difficulty paying attention, or thoughts of hurting self or ending life occur, notify health care professional promptly.

• Causes sedation. Caution patient to avoid driving and other activities requiring alertness until response to medication is known.

• Advise patient to avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants during therapy; ↑s sedation.

• Inform patient of potential side effects and instruct to notify health care professional if side effects occur.

• Instruct patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and consult health care professional before taking any new medications.

• Advise female patients to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.