Managing Drug Side Effects Essay: Strategies for Patient Care
Akathisia/Tremors
The first line of defense against unpleasant side effects is to stop taking the offending drug. This may be the best choice if the drug isn’t helping or if the patient is experiencing serious adverse effects. Alternatively, the patient could try a different drug. This may be a viable alternative if the patient benefits from the drug but experiences minute side effects. The addition of a drug to reduce unwanted effects is the third choice. If the patient is improving on the drug and the negative effects are manageable, this could be a suitable choice.
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EPS/TD
Patients who develop EPS/TD due to their medication have a few treatment choices. Changing to a drug that does not cause these symptoms is one choice. Medication that helps lower the EPS/TD is another possibility. The other alternative is to stop taking the medication.
Weight gain
A few solutions can help, and the one that works best for a particular patient to manage weight gain will depend on their situation. One way to control weight gain is to either stop taking medicine responsible for it, switch to a different medication, or take a prescription specifically designed to help with weight loss (Libowitz & Nurmi, 2021). Consulting a medical professional can help determine the most appropriate course of action.
Metabolic Syndrome
According to Libowitz & Nurmi (2021), patient care for the following Metabolic Syndrome side effects can involve discontinuing, changing, or adding new medications. There are advantages and disadvantages to each potential course of action.
Sexual Dysfunction
Depending on what’s causing it, various treatments are available for sexual dysfunction. If a drug is suspected, the treatment choices include removing, replacing, or increasing the medication. Counseling and other forms of therapy may be helpful if the root problem is emotional or mental. In cases when a physical cause can be identified, treatments that enhance blood circulation or nerve function may be a possibility. According to Keskin et al. (2019), the treatment approach that is best for a patient with sexual dysfunction depends on the etiology of the problem, the degree of the adverse effects, and the patient’s preferences.
Blunted affect
Patients who suffer dampened effect as a drug side effect can be given four treatment options: discontinuing the offending medicine, switching to a different medication, adding a medication, or just observing the blunted effect. Depending on the patient and the adverse effect of the drug, the drug can continue being administered.
Agranulocytosis
Taking no more of the problematic drug, attempting to change medications, adding a medication that helps stimulate more synthesis of white blood cells, and providing emotional and physical support is the best option for addressing agranulocytosis.
References
Keskin, G., Babacan Gümüş, A., & Taşdemir Yiğitoğlu, G. (2019). Sexual dysfunctions and related variables with sexual function in patients who undergo dialysis for chronic renal failure. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(1-2), 257-269. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocn.14602?casa_token=VLMEEGOmgeQAAAAA:ChMq1fFpttpGVeaRS0_MX9eY-ff9lssIqHXyhrznlFGpi8VJUAWzzH1uZ5hpdsuH1HbCrwr3HCHy55Vg_A
Libowitz, M. R., & Nurmi, E. L. (2021). The burden of antipsychotic-induced weight gain and metabolic syndrome in children. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 623681. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.623681/full