Medication Management

Medication management is a critical component of mental health treatment for individuals with mental health conditions that require medication. Effective medication management involves careful monitoring of the medication’s efficacy, side effects, and overall impact on the individual’s mental health. At Sage, we offer a range of psychopharmacological services to help manage symptoms of all mental health disorders. Medications prescribed for mental health disorders can help reduce symptoms, improve overall functioning, and enhance the individual’s quality of life. 

Many of our patients can be on psychiatric or psychotropic medications. Sometimes patients reach out to us as they are already on medications and require specialist input to monitor the medication response and to adjust doses accordingly or to seek a second opinion about their treatment.  

Here are some reasons why medication management is crucial for mental health treatment: 

• Optimal Treatment Outcomes: Proper medication management can improve treatment outcomes by ensuring that the patient is receiving the appropriate medication at the correct dose. Medications can help alleviate symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life, but only if they are taken consistently and effectively. 
• Minimizing Side Effects: Individuals may experience side effects from medication. Effective medication management can help minimize side effects and improve the patient’s overall experience with the medication. 
• Avoiding Drug Interactions: Medications may interact with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements. Effective medication management involves monitoring the patient’s medication regimen and avoiding potential drug interactions. 
• Safety and Compliance: Effective medication management ensures that patients take their medications as prescribed and avoid medication errors, such as skipping doses or taking too much medication. This helps prevent adverse events and also improve outcomes. 
• Empowerment: Medication management can empower patients to take control of their mental health treatment and improve their overall well-being. When patients are engaged in the medication management process, they are more likely to take their medication as prescribed and communicate with their mental health provider about any issues or concerns. 

 What to expect from Medication Management? 

Our psychiatrists will assess your current symptoms, medical and psychiatric history and your medication history to determine collaboratively the best treatment course. Based on the assessment, the psychiatrist may suggest continuing with the same medications or depending upon your medical history and suitability, may suggest a different medication. They will also look into the dosage of the medication you are taking, to ensure you are on the minimum effective dose.  

If you decide to continue with your medications, your psychiatrist will monitor your symptoms and any side effects. This will involve regular follow-ups and may need occasional laboratory tests, or other assessments to ensure that the medication is working effectively and that any side effects are managed appropriately. Our goal is to find the medication that works best for you with minimum or no adverse effects.  

Your psychiatrist will also aim to provide education to you and family members or caregivers about the medication, including how to take it, potential side effects, and any interactions that the medication may have with other medications. They may also talk to you about lifestyle changes alongside medication management.  

If you have other healthcare professionals involved in your care, your psychiatrist may also seek consent to communicate with them to provide coordinated, holistic care.  

Who can benefit from it?

You might benefit from seeing a psychiatrist for medication management if:

• You have a mental health condition that requires medication to be able to function.
• You have a mental health condition, and you need support to reduce your symptoms, or improve your overall functioning, and you would like to enhance your quality of life. 
• You are already on medication, and you want to ensure that they are taking the right medications in the right amount – and only when it is absolutely necessary.