Clinician Consult on Depression
Your question will be answered by:
Dr. Wayne Katon
Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Director, Division of Health Services and Psychiatric Epidemiology
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
Answered Questions
10/20/2009 - Question 1. How does the primary care physician deal with the challenge of poor adherence to antidepressant therapy given the early onset of side effects of some antidepressant medications?
It is essential for provide intial education about side effects and benefits and then follow the patient closely with both telephone and inperson visits during the first month of treatment
10/20/2009 - Question 2. When should the patient, who has achieved remission and is now on maintenance therapy, be allowed to discontinue medication?
If it is a first episode the patient should take medication for 6 to 12 months. In patients who have experienced their third or greater number of episodes maintenance treatment for at least two years should be considered
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