CENTERBEST

General Education about Psychiatric Medications

I. Storage of Medications

Keep medications in their original bottles. Do not mix different
medications in the same bottle. Please store medications as directed by
the pharmacist. Keep medications out of the sight and out of reach of
children because an overdose can be dangerous. Make sure the labels
are clearly readable.

II. Side Effects & Risk/Benefit Analysis

No psychiatric medication is completely risk-free. In weighing risks and
benefits of a given treatment decision you may realize that a risk you
assume by choosing a treatment seems more risky than a risk you take
by not treating your illness even though the risk of doing nothing may
be greater.
Most medications have a long list of medication side effects listed in
the package insert. We are happy to discuss any questions about these
side effects. It may be difficult for you to remember every single side
effect of each medication that you take. It is therefore important for you
to report any physical or mental discomfort or worsening of your
condition to the prescribing doctor. There may be yet unknown or long-
term side effects especially of medications taken over a long period of
time. It is therefore important that you partner with the prescribing
doctor in ongoing risk /benefit analysis during your regular medication
management appointments.

It is possible to have an allergic reaction to any medication. This may
show itself in the form of skin reactions, breathing difficulties, or other
allergic responses. These must be immediately reported to the
prescribing doctor. If they are causing serious discomfort, please seek
emergency help at your nearest Emergency Room/ Urgent Care facility.
Dangerously low white blood cell count can be a rare side effect of
some medications. Common symptoms of this are fever and sore throat.
These need immediate medical attention.
Some medications can cause liver problems sufficiently rarely that
regular blood tests are not recommended by the FDA. Immediate
attention is needed however, if signs and symptoms of liver problems
are noted. These include Itchy skin, Jaundice (yellow coloring of skin
and eyes), dark urine, upper right-sided abdominal tenderness or
unexplained “flu-like” symptoms.
Regular medication blood level tests are essential to monitor dosing of
certain medications like lithium carbonate where the difference
between therapeutic blood levels and toxic blood levels is rather small.

III. Pregnancy

It is very important to avoid pregnancy and breast feeding during the
time when you are taking psychiatric medications. When you do plan a
pregnancy, inform your doctor well in advance so that he can discuss
the possibilities of risk to your baby during pregnancy and
breastfeeding.

IV. Machinery & Driving

Most psychiatric medications can, for some people, cause tiredness,
sleepiness or a decrease in concentration. You must not drive or
operate machinery if your medications affect you in this way. Since
there are wide variations among different people in this regard it is
important that you avoid driving or operating machinery until you are
quite familiar with how your medication affects you. In any case,
exercise extra caution in driving and in operating machinery.

V. Sun Exposure/tanning

Some psychiatric medications make you more sensitive to sunburn.
They may also cause skin damage in a tanning bed situation. Please be
extra cautious and use sun screen in these situations. Also, in the
summer months it is particularly important to stay cool and drink plenty
of water and liquids unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

VI. Medication Interactions

To avoid and manage medication interactions it is important to inform
ALL your current and new doctors and dentists of ALL your medications.

VII. Alcohol & Drugs

It is important to avoid any street drugs or alcohol when you are being
treated with psychiatric medications. If you use drugs or alcohol,
unpredictable and unusual side-effects and reactions may occur.

VIII. Over-the-Counter & Herbal Medications

It is important to keep your doctor informed about any herbal or over
the counter medications that you are taking or planning to take.

IX. Overdose

Call 911 and Poison Control immediately in case of overdose.

X. Dosage Instructions

Make sure you understand exactly how the medication is to be taken. If
in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Please call if there is a
difference between what the doctor has told you and what the bottle
says. Do call our office if you notice a change in the size or color of your
pills on a refill. Parents need to supervise medication intake by their
children.

XI. Refills

It is important to keep taking your medication unless directed by your
doctor to stop. Please make sure to make and keep regular follow-up
appointments. In case you run out of medication because of unforeseen
problems, please call us for refills until your next appointment. Please
note that schedule 2 controlled substances commonly used for ADHD
need a new prescription each time they are filled. Refills are not
allowed on these drugs. For each medical appointment, please bring a
very accurate list of all of medications that you are taking from any
doctor. In place of list, you may bring all the original medicine bottles.

XII. FDA Labeling

It is common in the present day psychiatric practice to use medications
for different purposes and in different age groups than what the U. S.
food and drug administration approved them for. We apply principles of
risk/benefit analysis to these situations. This is particularly important for
children because few commonly used medications have FDA labeling
for children with psychiatric problems. Risk of not treating must also be
taken into account in risk/benefit analysis. Parents are encouraged to
visit

http://www.parentsmedguide.org/

XIII. Falls

Some psychiatric medications cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and a
blackout like feeling. These problems can be minimized by getting up
slowly from lying down or reclining positions. It helps to move your legs
before you get up. These precautions for slow change of position can
help minimize falls. These precautions are critical for elderly people
because falls in this age group can have very serious consequences.