Medication Management

Medication prescribed to treat mental health conditions requires expert management. The Weekend Clinic, under the direction of Peter Nguyen, DO, offers telepsychiatry and limited in-person medication management from their Washington, DC, office. If you’re taking antidepressants, antianxiety medications, antipsychotics, or controlled medications for substance abuse problems, the Weekend Clinic can ensure proper dosages and help you manage side effects. Call today or use the online tool to book your appointment.

What is involved in medication management?

Many mental health conditions, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, and anxiety, benefit from treatment plans that combine medication and counseling or therapy. If you’ve been prescribed medication to help you deal with the symptoms of your condition or to help you overcome a dependence on illicit substances, the providers at the Weekend Clinic carefully monitor your dose, its effectiveness, and any side effects.

Medication management also includes basic information, like how to administer your dose and when to take it. You’ll be reminded never to share your medications with another person or use another person’s drugs.

How do I get started with medication management?

If your provider determines that medication is a good step in your treatment, they’ll likely order genetic testing to determine your ideal prescription. Not all medications work the same way for all people; some may even have unpleasant side effects. Genetic testing takes some of the guesswork out of your mental health treatment. 

Once your therapist identifies the right type of drug, your dosage amount and frequency are set to get you optimal benefits. 

What kinds of mental health drugs require medication management?

Medications can help ease symptoms of a mental health disorder, so you’re better able to function at work, at home, and in social relationships. Medications can also ease symptoms, so you can better accept therapy and behavior modifications. 

The following medications are not without risks and require monitoring:

Antidepressants

When you have depression, insomnia, and some anxiety, antidepressants can help you feel better. These medications have precise dosages that need to be tapered up or down gradually to avoid relapses or unwanted side effects. 

Antianxiety medications

Antianxiety medications can help if you suffer from panic attacks. They also help you manage extreme worry. It’s possible to build up a tolerance to your dosage or type of medication over time, so management is important. 

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity medications

ADHD medications help balance neurotransmitters in your brain, so you have fewer symptoms. Careful monitoring of these medications keeps your ADHD managed and helps you avoid unwanted side effects. 

Addiction medications

Certain controlled medications help patients overcome opioid dependence. They block the opioid receptors in your brain, so you don’t get a high from narcotics. However, these medications can be abused, so they must be carefully managed virtually and in person. 

Get the medication management you need for mental health care at the Weekend Clinic. Call today or set up an appointment online.