Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine serving Virginia
Medication Management Services Offered Throughout Virginia
If you struggle with a mental health condition, psychiatric medication can dramatically improve your symptoms. At Vital Health & Integrative Care, Aminata Kamara, FNP, PMHNP-BC, offers medication management to patients throughout Virginia. You can receive all the mental health care you need through telehealth, whether that means medication, therapy, or both. To schedule a virtual visit, call the office or use the online booking tool today.
What is medication management?
Medication management refers to receiving the psychiatric medications you need to improve your symptoms. But it also encompasses more than simply getting a prescription.
Your medication management includes a complete psychiatric evaluation, a comprehensive treatment plan, and regular follow-up appointments. You may also need periodic blood tests, depending on the medication prescribed for you.
Why do I need medication management?
Medication management provides a reliable way to protect your overall health and ensure you get the medication and dose you need to achieve optimal mental wellness. There are two goals achieved with medication management:
Ensuring optimal results
Finding the right medication and your optimal dose takes some trial and error. There are numerous medications for each mental health condition. For example, there are well over 20 different antidepressants.
Every person metabolizes drugs differently and each medication (even those with the same condition) has a unique way of working in the body. As a result, the medication that works for one person doesn’t help someone else.
If your symptoms don’t improve, the first step is increasing the dose. If several dose adjustments are unsuccessful, Aminata may need to switch you to a different medication. This process continues until you get successful results or she determines that a group of medications may not improve your symptoms.
Protecting your health
The second goal of medication management is monitoring for potential side effects. Regular medication management appointments give Aminata the ability to detect any problems at an early stage.
What should I expect during medication management appointments?
During your first appointment, Aminata reviews your medical history, learns about your symptoms, and completes a psychiatric evaluation. After diagnosing the cause of your symptoms, she determines if you need medication.
Aminata explains the medication you may need, including its risks and side effects, then you decide if you want to take it. She sends the e-prescription to your pharmacy and schedules your next medication management appointment.
Follow-up appointments don’t take as long. These are short virtual visits to check on your progress and learn about any side effects or challenges you may face. Then, Aminata decides whether to refill your current prescription or change the medication or dosage.
To learn more about medication management using telehealth, call Vital Health & Integrative Care or use the online booking tool today.
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