Monitoring Recommendations in Pharmacology

Question 1

LFTs

Answer 1

Agents with hepatic liability (esp. Depakote):

• Start of treatment
• 6, 12, and 24 weeks
• When clinically indicated

Question 2

BMI and waist circumference

Answer 2

Mirtazipine
TCA
MAOIs
SGAs:
-At baseline
-1 month
-6 month intervals thereafter

Question 3

Vitamin D, B12, folate, zinc, magnesium

Answer 3

All antidepressants:

• Baseline
• If symptoms indicate

Question 4

Electrolytes for hypernatremia

Answer 4

SSRIs
Mirtazipine
SNRIs
TCAs:
-Baseline
-1 month
-If clinically indicated (esp. elderly)

Question 5

CBC (other than clozaril)

Answer 5

Mirtazipine:

-If clinically indicated

Question 6

Side effect monitoring and checklist

Answer 6

All antidepressants:

• 1 month
• Each med check

Question 7

Bone mineral density testing

Answer 7

SSRIs:

-Clinically indicated in high-risk groups (elderly women)

Question 8

BP monitoring

Answer 8

Venlafaxine
TCAs
MAOIs:
-Baseline
-With sig dose inc
-3-6 monthly after stabilization

Question 9

EKG

Answer 9

Tricyclics, checking for QTc prolongation

• Baseline
• After initial titration
• With dose changes