• Instruct patient to notify health care professional promptly if fever; sore throat; signs of infection; bleeding gums; bruising; petechiae; blood in stools, urine, or emesis; increased fatigue, dyspnea, or orthostatic hypotension occurs. Caution patient to avoid crowds and persons with known infections. Instruct patient to use soft toothbrush and electric razor and to avoid falls. Caution patient not to drink alcoholic beverages or take medications containing aspirin or NSAIDs; may precipitate GI bleeding.

• Instruct patient to report promptly any numbness or tingling in extremities.

• Instruct patient not to receive any vaccinations without advice of health care professional.

• Advise patient of the need for contraception.

• Emphasize the need for periodic lab tests to monitor for side effects.