Client/family Education related to Antidepressants

Continue to take medication for 4 weeks.
Do not discontinue medication abruptly.
Report sore throat, fever, malaise, yellow skin, bleeding, bruising, persistent vomiting or headaches, rapid heart rate, seizures, stiff neck, and chest pain to physician.
Avoid foods and medications high in tyramine when taking M A O I’s. These include
Aged cheese, Wine; beer, Chocolate; colas, Coffee; tea, Sour cream; yogurt, Smoked and processed meats, Beef or chicken liver, Canned figs, Caviar, Raisins, Pickled herring, Yeast products, Broad beans, Soy sauce, Cold remedies, Diet pills

Serotonin Syndrome

Can be caused by ingesting 2 different SSRIs such as sertraline (Zoloft) & paroxetine (Paxil) at the same time
Symptoms include any or all –
- Confusion, Agitation, Tachycardia, Hypertension, Nausea, Abdominal pain, Myoclonus, Muscular rigidity, Fever, Diaphoresis, Tremoring

Pharmacogenomics

Between 30 and 50% of patients do not respond to first antidepressant prescription.
A study is needed to identify benefits of routine testing, cost effectiveness, and ability to provide timely results.