Polypharmacy and Non-Compliance

From my understanding of his article Dr Kramer is saying that while treatment with as few medications as possible is ideal, many patients require the use of polypharmacy to be well. Individuals with depression may be seen and managed well by their family physician by the prescription of an antidepressant medication. Severe or treatment-refractory cases are the ones that are referred to a psychiatrist and in these cases polypharmacy is most likely required.

Dr Kramer states further that "No medication regimen has any hope of being effective if the medications themselves are not actually ingested." There is more than one reason for "non-compliance".

A confusing combination of medications that a patient is unable to keep track of may make him/her throw his hands in the air in defeat.

-helpful changes may include taking medicine all at one time or twice a day instead of 3 or 4 times daily -use of a weekly or daily drug reminder box Cost of medication may not permit some patients to obtain them

Side Effects (short and long term)

Drug Interactions

My personal thoughts on compliance and polypharmacy are these. Work with your psychiatrist to find the right medication combination for you. It may take a while, but don't despair or give up. You have a life time illness when you have Bipolar Disorder...proper treatment is only way to be well as often as you possibly can. Do your best to form a good relationship with you psychiatrist, keep your appointments and take your medications. Contact your doctor first before even thinking of stopping them.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic