Antidepressant or Mood Stabilizer

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Medication Paper

Select a medication that is either classified as an antidepressant or mood stabilizer. Based on your selection, write a paper (maximum 4 pages) and discuss the following information related to the medication you selected.

  • Evidence based treatment selection (FDA approved uses)
  • Off label uses, if any
  • Contraindications, if any to use
  • Mechanism of action
  • Potential side effects
  • Lab monitoring/ follow up
  • Role of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the role of prescribing and managing the medication

Include a minimum of 4 evidence-based articles to support your paper that are 5 years old or less (exceptions: DSM-5 and course textbooks).Use two of this references

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2017). Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: Behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry (12th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Stahl, S. M. (2024). Prescriber’s guide: Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology. Cambridge University Press.

Wheeler, K. (2020). Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing.

antidepressant or mood stabilizer

Title: Comprehensive Overview of Sertraline (Zoloft) as an Antidepressant

Introduction

  • Brief introduction to Sertraline (Zoloft).
  • Its classification as an antidepressant.
  • The importance of understanding its uses, mechanisms, side effects, and the role of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) in its management.

Evidence-Based Treatment Selection (FDA Approved Uses)

  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Panic Disorder
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Off-Label Uses

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Eating Disorders (e.g., bulimia nervosa)
  • Certain types of chronic pain (e.g., diabetic neuropathy)
  • Premature ejaculation

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to sertraline or any of its components
  • Concurrent use with MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) or within 14 days of discontinuing MAOIs
  • Use with pimozide
  • Patients with a known history of drug abuse or suicidal ideation

Mechanism of Action

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
  • Increases the levels of serotonin in the brain by inhibiting its reuptake into the presynaptic cell.
  • Discuss the biochemical pathways and its effects on mood regulation.

Potential Side Effects

  • Common side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, dizziness, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction
  • Serious side effects: Serotonin syndrome, increased risk of bleeding, hyponatremia, seizures, mania/hypomania in bipolar patients

Lab Monitoring/Follow Up

  • Baseline assessments: Renal function, liver function, and electrolyte levels.
  • Periodic monitoring: Liver function tests, serum sodium levels in elderly patients or those taking diuretics.
  • Monitoring for side effects: Regular follow-up for mental status changes, emergence of suicidal thoughts, and serotonin syndrome symptoms.

Role of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

  • Initial assessment: Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis.
  • Prescribing: Determining appropriate dosing, considering patient’s medical history and co-morbid conditions.
  • Monitoring: Regular follow-up visits to assess efficacy, side effects, and patient adherence.
  • Education: Informing patients about medication usage, potential side effects, and the importance of adherence.
  • Coordination: Collaborating with other healthcare providers to ensure holistic care.

Conclusion

  • Summarize the importance of understanding sertraline’s uses and management.
  • Highlight the essential role of PMHNPs in ensuring effective and safe use of sertraline.

References

  1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
  2. Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2017). Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: Behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry (12th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
  3. Wheeler, K. (2020). Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing.
  4. Stahl, S. M. (2024). Prescriber’s guide: Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology. Cambridge University Press.
  5. Additional articles from recent (last 5 years) peer-reviewed journals on sertraline.
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