“Are you taking the right medication for a neurological or psychiatric disorder?”
Neurological disorders include epilepsy, migraine headaches, and Parkinson’s
disease. Depression and schizophrenia are psychiatric disorders. As it turns out,
many of the medications used to treat neurological conditions are also used to treat
psychiatric conditions. There are a number of treatment options for each, but it’s
important to make sure you’re getting the right medication for your specific
illness.
Watch for drug interactions
Everybody being treated for a neurological or psychiatric disorder should be especially
watchful for harmful drug interactions. Some of these medications can be dangerous
if taken in the wrong combination or by people with certain conditions, such as
heart disease. These medications can cause side effects that may not be as easy
to detect, due to the symptoms of the neurological or psychiatric disorder itself.
Know your treatment options
Is your treatment working? Is it affordable? Are there unexpected or unwanted side
effects? There are many alternatives for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders.
So it’s always worth considering a change in medication if you’re not
happy with the outcome, side effects, or price.
Keep your doctor informed
Always tell your doctors about all the medications you’re taking. If one of
your doctors makes a change in your medication, be sure to tell your other doctors.
This will help you avoid the risk of a drug interaction and allow you to get the
full benefit of the treatment. And if Medco manages your prescription program and
we notice a safety issue with your medications, a Neurology/Psychiatry Pharmacist
will work with you and your doctor to help make sure that you’re getting the
most effective treatment. |
