Medication Management

Medication management reduces the risk of adverse side effects if you take more than one prescription medication. At KAVN Health in Columbia, Maryland, the team uses medication management to help patients feel their best and prevent negative interactions. Call the nearest KAVN Health office to schedule a medication management consultation, or book your appointment online today. Telemedicine appointments are available for patients living in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, DC. 

What is medication management?

Medication management is a primary care subspecialty focused on proper medication adherence. It ensures you take your medications as prescribed to reduce the risk of side effects and negative interactions. 

What are the benefits of medication management?

Medication management at KAVN Health offers various benefits, including:

• Reduced risk of medication errors
• Fewer negative interactions and side effects
• Peace of mind for patients and their families
• Improved treatment outcomes
• Enhanced physical and mental health

Further, medication management provides regular access to a qualified mental health provider. 

What does medication management involve?

The KAVN Health team tailors medication management to each person’s needs. Even so, treatment follows a structured plan:

Initial meeting

At your first visit, your KAVN Health provider reviews your medical records and asks about the symptoms you’re experiencing. Tell them if you’ve been diagnosed with any underlying medical conditions and about any medications and supplements you take. 

Next, your provider completes a physical exam and a psychiatric evaluation. These measures provide a baseline for your mental and physical health. 

After gathering that information, your provider prescribes one (or multiple) medications to manage your symptoms. For example, if you have depression and insomnia, they might prescribe an antidepressant to improve your mood and a sedative to help you sleep.

Your provider explains the potential side effects of each drug and provides dosing information. 

Follow-up appointment

After you’ve taken your prescription medications for one or two weeks, you return to KAVN Health for a checkup. Your provider asks whether the drugs help alleviate your symptoms and if you’re experiencing any side effects. 

Tell them about anything you’ve noticed, such as stomach upset or brain fog. The more information you provide, the easier it is to determine whether or not your medications work. 

If your symptoms persist and you haven’t noticed an improvement, your provider might prescribe alternative medications. They repeat this process every few weeks until you find a combination of drugs that helps you feel your best. 

Regular monitoring for changes

Even if your medications help you feel better, regular monitoring is essential, as some drugs lose their efficacy over time. After a few months or years, your KAVN Health provider might recommend increasing or decreasing the dosages or switching to different medications altogether.

Call the nearest KAVN Health office to schedule a medication management appointment, or book your visit online today.