Medication Management Services | Sage Neuroscience Center

Medication Management for Better Outcomes

Medications can play a critical role in treating various mental health issues. In fact, we have seen that patients with the right medication have reduced or even eliminated symptoms, which greatly improves the quality of their life.

However, each patient has their own unique medication history and may also need medications for a variety of other reasons, ranging from thyroid issues to heart conditions.

Our Medication Management Services Include:

An initial evaluation of each patient’s need for psychotropic medications.
Changes to prescriptions, as needed.
Ongoing medical monitoring related to the use of the psychotropic medication by a qualified physician/prescriber.

“Our goal here at Sage Neuroscience Center is to work as a team to provide our medication management clients with the best outcomes possible.”

Medication Management Helps Prevent Errors

Whether you are living with mental health concerns, a substance use disorder, or a combination of the two, it’s important to have a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all aspects of your health and wellbeing. In some cases, people experiencing certain symptoms of mental health disorders are able to recover without the use of medications as a part of this plan. However, research shows that the best method of treating many disorders and their symptoms involves the use of one or more prescription medications in conjunction with psychotherapy

Psychiatric medications can help to decrease or manage your symptoms, increase daily functioning, and even improve results of other therapies. However, with improper management of medication type, dosage, frequency, or duration, the potential for error is high. With the ever-growing number of prescription medications, dosage recommendations, and potencies on the market today, it is important that a medical professional provides medication management services.

What Is Medication Management?

Every person is different, with a unique physical makeup, varied experience of symptoms, and a unique combination of needs and treatment goals; as such, the types of prescription medications and dosages vary among patients as well.

Generally speaking, medication management is the process of working alongside a prescriber to identify the best possible medication balance to address your symptoms and improve your daily life, pinpoint the most beneficial dosage and potency, and use the given medication as a piece of an overall treatment plan. The process begins with a comprehensive evaluation, discussing your treatment goals and unique needs, deciding on an initial medication schedule and dose for each, and then making changes as treatment progresses.

Depending on the intensity (how strong), duration (how long it lasts), and frequency (how often it happens) of your symptoms, the length of time you take medications may be for the short- or long-term. Proper medication management can help you progress toward your unique treatment goals and relief of your symptoms.

Medication Management Services for Mental Health

Medication management offers multiple benefits; is a way to ensure you receive the maximum benefit from medications by taking only what your body chemistry and symptoms need.

Medication Management helps to ensure medications are accurate and consistent and offer a touchpoint conversation with your provider to discuss any changes you may have experienced in the past few months. For a physical condition, a provider can prescribe medication based on the weight and age of the patient, then follow up a few days later to gauge how effective the medication was. For mental health needs, however, medication management functions a bit differently.

Instead of age and weight, prescribers base your mental health medication types and dosages on…

Medical research
What has worked for other patients with similar symptoms
The severity of your symptoms

Any physical conditions you may have
Other medications you are on
And any prior incidences of taking a similar medication in the past

As a result, it is often the case that your first dose – or even the first medication you try – will need to be adjusted over time to find the ideal combination of medication and dosages. If your first dosage seems correct, you will still require ongoing medication management appointments to monitor your response to medications.

How Ongoing Medication Management for Mental Health Works

First, you will undergo a mental health evaluation to identify what your current needs and goals are for using medication. The provider will ask you about your medical and mental health history and evaluate factors such as mood, behavior, and thought processes.

This process helps your provider determine the most effective medications specific to you and your life. . Frequent adjustments of medications and dosages may be necessary before you find the option that best addresses your symptoms.

Keep in mind that mental health conditions change over time, and your body’s response to a medication can also change. Medication management for mental health is essential to continue receiving the ideal treatment for your symptoms – and is even required by law in some areas in an effort to prevent substance abuse.

Common Mental Health Medications

Individuals who experience mental health symptoms can be treated with prescription medications. However, the way in which they are used can vary depending on the individual. For instance, some medications can be used to treat conditions caused by a chemical imbalance – such as anti-anxiety medications – can alter the chemical interactions and cause relief on their own. In other cases, the same medications can be used simply to enable people to access other therapies – such as group or individual therapy – more effectively.

There are many prescription medications today, all designed to help people feel and function their best.

On your journey to improving your mental health, a healthcare professional may recommend one or more medications commonly used to treat mental health disorders:

Anti-Anxiety Medications

Anti-anxiety medications are among the most commonly utilized mental health medications and can be used to treat rapid-onset panic attacks or more regularly to address ongoing high anxiety.

These mild sedatives can include:

Lorazepam (Ativan)
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Buspirone

Antipsychotic Medications

Used to treat a number of disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, eating disorders, PTSD, and more, the range of antipsychotic medications is wide and varied.

Medications can include:

Lurasidone (Latuda)
Ziprasidone (Geodon)
Aripiprazole (Abilify)

Antidepressant Medications

The other most common class of mental health medications, antidepressants, are generally used to help people recover from depression. These medications can be used in combination with other medications for other disorders as well.

Antidepressants include:

Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Citalopram (Celexa)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Stimulant Medications

Stimulants are commonly used to treat attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADD and ADHD).

Commonly used medications include:

Dextroamphetamine (ProCentra)
Methylphenidate (Concerta)
Adderall

Don’t Attempt to Self-Dose – Let Sage Neuroscience Center Help With Medication Management

Most mental health medications are powerful and require precise dosing to take safely – too much can cause serious side effects or become dangerous, while too little can result in continued overwhelming symptoms. Worse, not taking medications at all can result in dangerous – or even fatal – conditions.

At Sage Neuroscience Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we advocate for all individuals who begin prescribed medication with our providers to follow the clinically recommended treatment plan and participate in ongoing management.

If, at any point, you feel your medications are no longer working or your symptoms become worse, a medication management appointment can help you determine whether you should stop taking the medication, adjust the dosage, or add another. Our psychiatric providers are ideally positioned to help you through every stage of your treatment, giving your treatment team a more comprehensive approach to recovery and change.

Our mission at Sage Neuroscience Center is to create collaborative teams of healthcare providers to engage those we serve to achieve sustainable wellness.

Medication Management Services in New Mexico