Topic: Pharmacotherapeutics for Depression
Margo is a 49-year-old divorced woman who works as a bank teller. She tells her primary care provider (PCP) that she feels tired all the time and she is gaining weight because she has no interest in her usual exercise activities and has been overeating, not from appetite but out of boredom. She notices that she has difficulty falling asleep at night and awakens around 4 a.m. most mornings, without her alarm, and cannot go back to sleep even though she still feels tired. She finds little joy in her life but cannot pinpoint any particular concern. The PCP asks Angela to fill out a Beck’s Depression Scale, which indicated she has moderate depression.
Your first line of treatment leads you to prescribe citalopram for Margo that she is to take daily and return for follow-up in 6 weeks.
- Write that prescription.
(Be sure to indicate drug name, strength, amount per dose, route, frequency of dose, amount to dispense, allow generics, and number of refills.) - Provide Margo with written education regarding her prescription.
(Include what she should expect when first taking the drug, appropriate activity warnings, when to expect improvement, side effects she may experience, and anything she should report to the provider). Write this is a narrative form as though you were talking to the patient.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: In this scenario, a patient named Margo is suffering from moderate depression and has been prescribed citalopram as the first line of treatment. As a medical professional designing college assignments and answering questions for medical students, I will provide a prescription and written education for Margo regarding her medication.
1. Prescription:
Prescription for Margo:
Drug name: Citalopram
Strength: 20 mg
Amount per dose: 1 tablet
Route: Oral
Frequency of dose: Once daily
Amount to dispense: 30 tablets
Allow generics: Yes
Number of refills: 1
2. Written Education:
Dear Margo,
I am writing to provide you with some information regarding your prescription for citalopram. This medication is used to treat depression and is a type of antidepressant medication. You should take one tablet of citalopram every day by mouth. It is important to take this medication at the same time each day to help maintain a consistent level of medication in your blood.
When you first start taking citalopram, you may experience some side effects. These side effects can include nausea, dizziness, and headaches. These side effects should go away within a few weeks as your body adjusts to the medication. However, if these side effects persist or become severe, you should speak with your doctor.
It is important to give this medication time to work. It can take several weeks before you begin to notice an improvement in your symptoms. If you do not notice an improvement within a few weeks, you should speak with your doctor. It is also important to continue taking this medication even if you begin to feel better.
While taking citalopram, there are some warnings to keep in mind. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication, as it can increase the risk of side effects. It is also important to let your doctor know about any other medications you may be taking, including over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements.
If you experience any side effects that concern you or if you have any questions about your medication, please speak with your doctor. It is important to report any changes in your symptoms or side effects to your doctor so that they can adjust your treatment plan if necessary.
Best Regards,
[Your name]
