Medication Adherence
Name one way to improve medication adherence
What is: pair it with something you do, (i.e. making coffee or brushing your teeth), weekly pill box, reminder on your phone, etc?
Name a class of medications that can help treat anxiety.
What are antidepressants?
Name a common side effect
What is: nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, insomnia, etc.?
T/F: SSRIs are the most common antidepressant.
What is True? SSRIs are the first line treatment for depression and anxiety.
Name the only animal that can not jump.
What is the elephant?
Name one reason for non-adherence to medications
What is: medication side effects, medication not working, cost of medication, forget to take, etc.?
What are: shortness of breath, nausea, heart pounding, sweating, shaking
The length of time side effects can last when starting an antidepressant
What is: ~2 weeks on average, but most go away within a few days?
T/F: My antidepressant will start working right away.
What is: False? Antidepressants take around 4-6 weeks to work.
This animal has no vocal chords.
What is a giraffe?
What might happen if you stop taking your medications suddenly
What is: worsening of your condition and potential withdrawal effects?
The most common mental illness in the United States.
What is anxiety?
The difference between a side effect and an allergy
What is: Allergy produces a rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, etc. whereas side effect causes an undesirable (non life-threatening) effect of a drug?
T/F: Antidepressants cure depression.
What is: False? Antidepressants can help control symptoms of depression, but if you stop taking them your symptoms will likely return.
Tallest breed of dog in the world
What is a Great Dane?
What to do if you miss a dose of your medication
What is: take it as soon as you remember, unless it is close to the next dose?
Aside from medications, what else can be used to treat anxiety?
What is yoga, music, journaling, exercise, coping skills (3 3 3) etc?
Name a rare medication side effect
What is: a serious skin rash, serotonin syndrome, increased suicidal thoughts, liver/kidney failure, etc?
T/F: You are the most important member of the healthcare team.
What is true?! Work with your doctor or pharmacist for a plan that fits best into your daily life.
The number of glasses of milk a cow can produce in its lifetime.
What is 200,000?
The percentage of people that are adherent to their medications
What is 50%?
Name a cause of anxiety
caffeine, nicotine, alcohol withdrawal, stimulants, steroids, some herbal/natural supplements, stressful event/trauma (unemployment, loss of loved one)
What to do if you experience an intolerable medication side effect
What is: contact your provider?
T/F: I should not ask any questions when starting a new medication.
What is False? Ask things like: Why do I need this med?, How should I take it?, What if I don't feel better?
It takes this long for a sloth to digest its food.
What is 2 weeks?