A patient who has major depressive disorder has been taking fluoxetine (Prozac) 20 mg daily for 3 months and reports improved mood, less fatigue, and an increased ability to concentrate. The patient's side effects have diminished. The only complaint from the patient is regarding the number of medications she has to take daily. What will the nurse counsel this patient to discuss with the provider?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should counsel the patient to discuss once-weekly dosing with their provider as a possible option to decrease the daily medication burden. However, this should only be considered if the patient is stable on their current dose and has been taking medication consistently for at least 6 months. It is not appropriate to decrease or discontinue medication without provider guidance, and increasing the dose should only be done if the patient is experiencing inadequate response and has not reached the maximum therapeutic dose.

A Patient Who Has Major Depressive Disorder Has Been Taking