Mrs. Z is a 76-year-old female who consults an internal medicine physician because she has been depressed. She also gets chronic migraines. The physician takes a full history from Mrs. Z, which reveals that several medications have been prescribed to her by a variety of specialists. It seems that each specialist neglected to pay attention to the medications that Mrs. Z was prescribed by her other doctors and the potential drug-nutrient interactions. She also takes some daily health supplements.
The physician's notes are as follows:
Current Medication/Supplements       Reason for Prescribing/Taking
St) John's wort ...............................     she read in a magazine that this helps with depression
Slow Fe (iron supplement) ............     for prior anemia
Warfarin .........................................    history of embolic stroke
Omeprazole ...................................     history of peptic ulcer
TUMS ............................................     chronic upset stomach
Amoxicillin ...................................      recent respiratory infection
Doxazosin .....................................    incontinence
Allegra ..........................................      seasonal allergies
Lipitor ...........................................      high cholesterol
Vitamin E ......................................     she heard it was good for heart disease
Typical Daily Diet
Breakfast: eggs, bacon, ½ grapefruit, fresh orange juice
Lunch: hotdogs, sausages, or pepperoni sub, sliced tomatoes, cold tea
Dinner: cooked spinach, chicken breast, mashed potatoes, hot tea
-With no fever, shortness of breath or rales, which medication should likely be discontinued for Mrs. Z?

Question

Mrs. Z is a 76-year-old female who consults an internal medicine physician because she has been depressed. She also gets chronic migraines. The physician takes a full history from Mrs. Z, which reveals that several medications have been prescribed to her by a variety of specialists. It seems that each specialist neglected to pay attention to the medications that Mrs. Z was prescribed by her other doctors and the potential drug-nutrient interactions. She also takes some daily health supplements.
The physician's notes are as follows:
Current Medication/Supplements       Reason for Prescribing/Taking
St) John's wort ...............................     she read in a magazine that this helps with depression
Slow Fe (iron supplement) ............     for prior anemia
Warfarin .........................................    history of embolic stroke
Omeprazole ...................................     history of peptic ulcer
TUMS ............................................     chronic upset stomach
Amoxicillin ...................................      recent respiratory infection
Doxazosin .....................................      incontinence
Allegra ..........................................      seasonal allergies
Lipitor ...........................................      high cholesterol
Vitamin E ......................................     she heard it was good for heart disease
Typical Daily Diet
Breakfast: eggs, bacon, ½ grapefruit, fresh orange juice
Lunch: hotdogs, sausages, or pepperoni sub, sliced tomatoes, cold tea
Dinner: cooked spinach, chicken breast, mashed potatoes, hot tea
-With no fever, shortness of breath or rales, which medication should likely be discontinued for Mrs. Z?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Amoxicillin should likely be discontinued if Mrs. Z's respiratory infection has resolved, as it is an antibiotic prescribed for a specific duration to treat bacterial infections. Continuing it unnecessarily can contribute to antibiotic resistance and potential side effects.

Mrs Z Is a 76-Year-Old Female Who Consults an Internal