Choose one of the two following specific populations: either pregnant women or older adults. Then, select a specific disorder from the DSM-5-TR to use. (Major Depressive Disorder)
1- Recommend one FDA-approved drug, one off-label drug, and one nonpharmacological intervention for treating your chosen disorder in older adults or pregnant women.
2- Explain the risk assessment you would use to inform your treatment decision making. What are the risks and benefits of the FDA-approved medicine? What are the risks and benefits of the off-label drug?
3- Explain whether clinical practice guidelines exist for this disorder, and if so, use them to justify your recommendations. If not, explain what information you would need to take into consideration.
4- Support your reasoning with at least three current, credible scholarly resources, one each on the FDA-approved drug, the off-label, and a nonpharmacological intervention for the disorder.
Guide On Rating System
Vote
1- For treating Major Depressive Disorder in older adults, the recommended FDA-approved drug is Escitalopram (Lexapro). An off-label drug that has shown some efficacy is Bupropion (Wellbutrin). A nonpharmacological intervention that can be recommended is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
2- To assess the risks and benefits of the FDA-approved medicine (Escitalopram), a thorough evaluation of the potential side effects and drug interactions should be conducted. Some common side effects of Escitalopram include nausea, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. Additionally, it should be taken into consideration that Escitalopram may increase the risk of falls in older adults. However, the benefits of Escitalopram include its efficacy in treating Major Depressive Disorder and the potential improvement in the overall quality of life.
The off-label drug Bupropion carries some risks as well. It has been associated with an increased risk of seizures, especially in patients with a history of seizures or eating disorders. However, the benefits of Bupropion include its effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms and its potential for improving cognitive function in older adults.
3- Clinical practice guidelines do exist for Major Depressive Disorder, which can help inform treatment decisions. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has developed guidelines that recommend both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for the treatment of depression. These guidelines can justify the recommendations of Escitalopram, Bupropion, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as they have been shown to be effective in treating Major Depressive Disorder in older adults.
4- Three credible scholarly resources supporting the recommendations are:
- FDA-approved drug (Escitalopram):
Source: Gelenberg, A. J., Freeman, M. P., Markowitz, J. C., Rosenbaum, J. F., Thase, M. E., Trivedi, M. H., ... & Yin, S. (2010). Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder. The American journal of psychiatry, 167(10), 1-118.
- Off-label drug (Bupropion):
Source: Soni, A., & Adeyemo, E. (2019). Bupropion in the elderly: pharmacokinetic considerations. The Annals of pharmacotherapy, 53(9), 947-950.
- Nonpharmacological intervention (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy):
Source: Alexopoulos, G. S., Raue, P. J., Arean, P. A., & Provost, E. (2003). Problem-solving therapy versus supportive therapy in geriatric major depression with executive dysfunction. The American Journal of geriatric psychiatry, 11(1), 46-52.