What is medication management?
Medication management is an important service in many long-term care plans. There are countless medications that treat a wide variety of conditions and specific symptoms, and they work their best when you take them consistently and according to your physician’s instructions.
You can visit with the St. Luke’s Healthcare team for regular appointments to manage your medications with either in-office visits or convenient telehealth consultations from the comfort of your home or office. The team can adjust your dosage, add new medications, help you get off current medications, or change medications without complication.
Furthermore, medication management helps you avoid unhelpful side effects from any of the medications you take regularly. The team can help you find strategies to keep you on track with your medications, no matter how many you take.
Which conditions might require medication management?
Lots of conditions require medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, though your physicians will probably recommend one or more other treatments or strategies alongside your medications.
Strategies like physical therapy, counseling, injections, and other treatments can work in conjunction with medication management to treat:
Mental conditions
People who have mental health conditions like mood disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders often see improvement in their symptoms with the use of medications. The St. Luke’s Healthcare team can prescribe and manage medications like mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and stimulants according to your diagnosis and needs.
Physical conditions
Physical conditions like diabetes, fibromyalgia, cancer, and arthritis require the use of long-term medications to relieve pain, balance your body’s chemistry or hormones, or improve your treatment outcome in other ways.
How can I tell if I need to change medications or dosages?
Not all side effects and medication problems stem from the need for a new medication or a change in your dosage. Sometimes, issues occur when you forget to take a dose, or take your medication inconsistently or incorrectly.
If you experience problems like increased pain, sleep issues, nausea, and other possible side effects when you start or change a medication, you should report them to Dr. Ducote and the team as soon as possible. They can figure out the cause of the problem and change your medication as needed.
Medication management is rarely a solo treatment, but it can make a major difference for your well-being. Set up a consultation for medication management by phone or online at St. Luke’s Healthcare today.
