Sometimes, with rare medical conditions that affect our children, their sleep and wakefulness can be disrupted. The biological clock inside our bodies, which controls daily activities, bedtime, and wakefulness, gets a little messed up. This is especially common in people with conditions like Smith-Magenis syndrome. So, if you or your child has a condition like this, your doctor may have prescribed a liquid called Tasimelteon. Let's talk about this simply and clearly today.
What is Tasimelteon?
Simply put, this is a medication that helps your body reset its sleep and wake cycle. It works by acting like a natural hormone in our brain, signaling the body that it's time to sleep. It's used to treat sleep problems, especially in people with Smith-Magenis syndrome. You may find it at the pharmacy under the brand name HETLIOZ LQ.
Doctors may also prescribe this medicine for other conditions, so if you have any questions, ask your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
It is very important to tell your doctor about these things for your safety and the success of your treatment.
| Information you need to provide | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you have liver disease | The liver is where most medications are removed from the body. If you have liver problems, your medication dosage may need to be adjusted. |
| If you are a smoker (Tobacco use) | Smoking may affect the effectiveness of this medication, so inform your doctor about this. |
| If you have an allergic reaction to this medicine, other medicines, or foods | This is essential for your safety. This information will help prevent a severe allergic reaction. |
| If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby | During pregnancy, take any medication only on the advice of a doctor. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | This is important to ensure that the medicine passes to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
Since this is a liquid, it is very important to know exactly how to use it.
- Take it on time: Take this medicine at the same time every night. Do it exactly as your doctor tells you.
- Shake well: Shake the bottle well before using the medicine.
- Correct measurement: Use the special oral syringe, needle, or spoon that comes with this medicine to measure it. Never use regular kitchen teaspoons , as they are not accurate. If you do not have one, ask your doctor.
- Take on an empty stomach: This is very important. You should take the medicine on an empty stomach . That means, at least half an hour before a meal, or 2 hours after a meal.
- Don't stop: Don't stop taking your medication until your doctor tells you to.
These things are clearly stated in the leaflet (INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE) that comes with this medicine. Read it carefully. If there is anything you do not understand, ask your doctor.
What do you do when giving it to small children?
Doctors sometimes recommend this medicine for children as young as 3 years old. However, there are special instructions that need to be followed at that time. Therefore, follow the dosage exactly as the doctor says, without fail.
What if the dose of the medicine is increased or the time is missed?
Overdose
If you think you or your child may have taken too much medicine, take immediate action . If possible, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital directly. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not take this lightly.
Missed dose
If you forget to take a dose, skip it. Take the next dose at the usual time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines you are taking, as some things can interact with this medicine.
| Do not take these with Tasimelteon. | |
|---|---|
| Ramelteon | Viloxazine |
| Be sure to tell your doctor if you are using these. | |
| Alcohol | Fluvoxamine |
| Some medications for blood pressure and heart disease (e.g. acebutolol, metoprolol, propranolol) | Melatonin (a sleep supplement) |
| Some medications for fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole) | Rifampin |
This list is not complete, so it's best to tell your doctor about everything you take.
Things you should be careful about when taking medication
- See your doctor regularly: See your doctor at regular intervals to see how the medication is affecting you. It may take some time to see results.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: You may feel drowsy or dizzy after taking this medicine. Therefore, do not do anything other than take the medicine and get ready for bed. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires concentration .
- Don't get up suddenly: Especially if you are elderly, don't get up from a sitting position or out of bed suddenly. This reduces the risk of dizziness and falling.
- Avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of this medication. Therefore, avoid alcohol completely while taking the medication.
- If you smoke: If you smoke, tell your doctor if you feel like the medicine is not working properly. Also, tell your doctor if you are planning to quit smoking.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can cause some side effects.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
| Severe allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Headache | A common headache. |
| Vivid dreams or nightmares | Unusually vivid or frightening nightmares. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, please consult your doctor about that as well.
How to properly store and dispose of the medicine?
- Refrigerate: This medicine should be refrigerated . But do not freeze .
- Keep out of reach of children: Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Expiration: Once opened, the 48 ml bottle should be used within 5 weeks and the 158 ml bottle within 8 weeks. After that, discard any remaining product.
- How to dispose of: Safely dispose of unused, expired medications. If possible, donate them to a medication take-back program. If not, remove the medication from the bottle, mix it with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, and place it in a tightly sealed bag and dispose of it with the trash. Never flush it down the toilet unless your doctor tells you to.
Take-Home Message
- Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the prescribed time, and on an empty stomach.
- Shake the bottle well before use and use the recommended dosage.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- Avoid driving and risky activities as drowsiness may occur after taking the medicine.
- Store the medicine properly in the refrigerator and dispose of it safely after it expires.
- If severe allergic symptoms (facial swelling, difficulty breathing) occur, seek medical advice immediately.
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