Medication Education
True or False: If my symptoms go away, I can stop taking my medication. Explain your answer.
False; the symptoms have stopped or lessened because of the medication. Stopping the medication can cause the symptoms to return.
Sertraline (Zoloft), Escitalopram (Lexapro), and Citalopram (Celexa) are members of what drug class?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's)
Patients should avoid consuming this substance when taking a mood stabilizer or anticonvulsant due to the risk of increased sedation, impaired judgement, and potential overdose.
Alcohol
This class of anxiety medication can cause dependency.
Benzodiazepines: alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin). Should only be used short term for acute situations like a panic attack.
Who was the first man to walk on the moon?
Neil Armstrong
True or False: It is okay to take medication that expired in 2023. Explain your answer.
How long does it take an antidepressant to take effect and start working?
All antidepressants take 4-6 weeks to work, so if after 5 days you aren't feeling any better, you would continue to take your medication because it takes 4-6 weeks to reach therapeutic affects.
There is an increased risk of seizures with this antidepressant because it lowers the brain's seizure threshold.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Benzodiazepines are often used to manage withdrawal symptoms from this substance.
Alcohol
What popular music festival took place in Bethel, New York in 1969, then again in 1994 and 1999?
Woodstock
What do you do if you miss a dose of medication?
Make a note to inform your doctor, wait until the next dose to take your medication. DO NOT: double up on the next dose to make up for the missed dose. DO NOT: take the medication when you realize you missed it if it's already too late.
These neurotransmitters can be increased when take an antidepressant. Name one of the three.
Norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine
Tricyclic antidepressants: nortriptyline (Aventyl), amitriptyline (Elavil), Doxepin (Sinequan), commonly cause these side effects. Name 2 possible side effects.
Drowsiness (why you should take it before bedtime), low blood pressure (stand up slowly), urinary retention, constipation, sedation, blurred vision
This medication is often used for generalized anxiety disorder, it does not cause dependence like benzodiazepines and may take several weeks to become effective.
Buspirone (Buspar)
What is the name of Dorothy's dog in The Wizard of Oz?
Toto
Name at least two different ways to remember to take your medication throughout the day.
Set reminders on your phone or watch, use a pill organizer, incorporate it into your daily routine so take your medications with breakfast or when you go to brush your teeth, place sticky notes around your living space to remind you, keep your medications visible so you won't forget, so place near your coffee maker or toaster oven.
A patient must avoid foods high in what if they are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOIs)?
Tyramine - smoked fish, avocado, wine, chocolate, yeast extract, dried fruit, anchovies, certain cheeses, aged meat like pepperoni
Severe muscle rigidity, diaphoresis, inconsistent pulse and blood pressure, stupor, coma, and death are the symptoms of this severe adverse reaction seen in antipsychotics.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
These drug classes are considered first line treatment in anxiety disorders. Name at least one.
SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), and benzodiazepines
This river, stretching more than 4,000 miles through eleven African countries, is widely considered the longest river in the world.
Nile River
What information can be found on a medication label or prescription bottle. Name at least 3 pieces of information.
Medication name, dosage, prescribing doctor, pharmacy name, who to contact if you have questions, warnings/side effects, administration instructions (by mouth, topical, sublingual), patient's name, Rx number, date medication expires
Rapid discontinuation of antidepressants can cause these symptoms. Name two.
Withdrawal, nausea, vertigo, insomnia, headache, malaise, nightmares. It is recommended that you wean off of taking an antidepressant, the doctor will be the one who decides how you wean.
Tongue protrusion, lip smacking, choreiform movements, and chewing are symptoms of what side effect of antipsychotics (1st generation).
If a client started taking buspirone (Buspar) for anxiety, what juice should they be taught to avoid drinking because it can increase drug levels and lead to toxicity.
Grapefruit juice
Which football team won the most Super Bowls in the 1970s?
Pittsburgh Steelers (won in 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980s)