ASSIGNMENT
DE-PRESCRIBING
What is the importance of de-prescribing? How might you assist a patient to taper from a medication safely or transition to a new medication?
In this Assignment, you will use the following patient examples to write a 5- to 6-page paper on considerations you have for how you might de-prescribe. Support your answers with five (5) evidence-based, peer-reviewed scholarly literature resources outside of Required Learning Resources in this course.
Note: APA style format guidelines will apply.
Patient Examples:
Patient 1: A 36-year-old male presents to your office being prescribed by his primary care physician (PCP) for the past 3 years an opioid analgesic medication for a work accident. He has chronic pain and is attending a pain clinic. It is determined the best course of treatment for pain is to remain on opioid medication. The patient is also being prescribed clonazepam 1mg BID for “relaxation” and panic attacks.
Patient 2: A 42-year-old female on alprazolam 1mg BID for panic attacks. Panic attacks have been in remission and the patient wants to taper off the medication. But, every time she has attempted to do so in the past, she experienced withdrawal effects. She is wondering how to safely taper off the benzodiazepine medication without having withdrawal effects.
Patient 3: A 24-year-old female prescribed lorazepam 1mg TID for generalized anxiety disorder. She recently found out she is pregnant (9 weeks gestation). She was referred to you by her OB-GYN to discuss this medication for her current situation. The patient is wondering if she can stay on the lorazepam through her pregnancy and postpartum, as it is an effective medication for anxiety symptoms. She plans to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months postpartum. She has not had any other trials of medication to treat anxiety as lorazepam has been effective.
Patient 4: A 71-year-old-male who comes to see you at the insistence of his daughter. His daughter expresses concern of memory loss and is wondering if he has the beginning stages of dementia. He is forgetful and seems to be tripping on things or walking into walls, although he has lived in the same home for the past 35 years. The patient does not agree with his daughter but does admit he has had a “few stumbles and falls” lately. Medication reconciliation shows the following medications: metoprolol ER 50mg q day, omeprazole 20mg q day, clonazepam 1mg TID, levothyroxine 75mcg q am. His daughter is wondering if he should be started on a “dementia medication.”
RESOURCES
- Goldin, D. S. (2023). Fast facts for psychopharmacology for nurse practitioners. Springer Publishing.
- Chapter 6, “Anxiolytics and Anti-Anxiety Medications“ (pp. 85–110)
- Chapter 11, “Sleep Disorders” (pp. 228–247)
- Community Behavioral Health. (2019, February). Clinical guidelines for tapering benzodiazepinesLinks to an external site.. https://cbhphilly.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/H…
- National Center for PTSD. (2013). Effective treatments for PTSD: Helping patients taper from benzodiazepinesLinks to an external site.. https://www.va.gov/painmanagement/docs/OSI_6_Toolk…
- Ogbonna, C. I. & Lembke, A. (2017). Tapering patients off of benzodiazepinesLinks to an external site.. American Family Physician, 96(9), 606–608. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2017/1101/p60…
- Drugs.comLinks to an external site.. (2023). https://www.drugs.com/
Note: Please use the following resource to check the most up-to-date box warnings, FDA approvals and indications, recommendations for follow-up evaluations, changes, etc. - Anxiolytic Medication Table
Note: Utilize the following medication table to familiarize yourself with the medications aligned with the topics presented this week.
|
Lorazepam |
Clonazepam |
|
Alprazolam |
Diazepam |
|
Chlordiazepoxide |
Propranolol * |
|
Buspirone |
Duloxetine |
|
Clonidine * |
Catapres* |
|
Guanfacine * |
Fluvoxamine |
|
Hydroxyzine |
Atenolol* |
*Indicates off-label use
Note: Also review SSRI/SNRI and TCA tables from previous weeks.
TO PREPARE FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT:
- Review the assigned Learning Resources for this week.
- Review the definitions presented in your text and resources for de-prescribing and tapering.
- Consider the importance of de-prescribing.
- Based on the example(s) provided, consider how you might de-prescribe a patient.
Answer the following questions using the patient examples described above.
Patient 1
- What are the concerns of the patient remaining on the opioid medication and clonazepam?
- How might you educate the patient about these risks and concerns?
The patient agrees that he should not continue both medications in combination. He would like to “get off” the clonazepam but worries about “bad withdrawals” that he’s heard about from stopping clonazepam “cold turkey” and is concerned about re-occurring panic attacks. How might you respond to the following:
- How would you instruct the patient to taper off clonazepam?
- What other medication would you recommend for the patient for the treatment of his panic attacks? Keep in mind, he will continue the opioid medication for pain relief.
- How would you start the new recommended psychotropic medication for the patient?
- Discuss one legal, ethical, or social consideration with the treatment plan.
Patient 2
- The patient reports withdrawal symptoms when previously tapering off the alprazolam. What symptoms are common withdrawal symptoms from this medication?
- Provide the patient education of withdrawal symptoms that range from common and less serious to withdrawal symptoms that are a cause for concern and that should prompt patient should seek medical attention.
- Given the patient’s history of having withdrawal effects from attempting to taper off alprazolam, what longer-acting benzodiazepine would you choose to convert the patient to?
- What is the dose you would prescribe and how would you taper off the medication?
Patient 3
- Review the potential risks, benefits, and side effects of continuing lorazepam throughout the pregnancy and postpartum for both the patient and fetus.
- Review other alternative medications to treat generalized anxiety disorder. Include risks, benefits, and potential side effects to both the patient and the developing fetus. Keep in mind, the patient is looking to breast feed for 6 months postpartum.
- The patient agrees that it would be safest for her pregnancy and fetus to discontinue the lorazepam. How would you recommend she discontinue lorazepam? Provide education on potential side effects from tapering off the medication, including common side effects to more serious side effects and when to seek medical attention.
- The patient would like to forgo medications at this time, given she is early in her pregnancy and is concerned about “damage” to the fetus if she were to continue medications. Provide education to the patient about the risks of untreated anxiety symptoms during pregnancy for both the patient and the fetus.
Patient 4
- Review potential side effects for elderly on benzodiazepines providing education to both the patient and the patient’s daughter. What are the risks of continuing the benzodiazepine for this patient?
- How would you evaluate the patient for these side effects?
- The patient and daughter agree he will need to taper off the clonazepam given the risks of continuing this medication. How would you recommend tapering off this medication?
- Review with the patient and daughter potential side effects of tapering off the medication. Review with them common side effects to more serious side effects and when to seek medical attention.
Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The Walden Writing Center Sample PaperLinks to an external site. provides an example of those required elements.
Assignment_Rubric
Criteria
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePatient 1: Describes concerns for patient remaining on the medication and how these risks and concerns will be addressed to the patients. Describes how to assist Patient 1 in tapering medication, as well as what other medication might be prescribed with considerations of legal, ethical, or social considerations to the plan.
Ans:
The response comprehensively describes medication risks and concerns. The response comprehensively and clearly explains how the patient will be educated. The response comprehensively and clearly explains considerations for medication tapering. The response comprehensively and clearly reflects on legal, ethical, or social considerations of the plan.
Criteria
Patient 2: Describes common withdrawal symptoms and patient education information. Describes which benzodiazepine might be prescribed to convert the patient, as well as the specific dosing and tapering information.
Ans:
The response comprehensively and clearly explains withdrawal symptoms. The response comprehensively and clearly provides patient education information. The response comprehensively and clearly identifies a benzodiazepine for the patient. The response comprehensively and clearly details dosing and tapering information.
Criteria
Patient 3: Describes potential risks, benefits and side effects of lorazepam, as well as alternative medications that might be prescribed for the patient. Describes how the patient might discontinue lorazepam, with necessary patient education regarding discontinuing medication and patient/fetus needs.
Ans:
The response comprehensively and clearly describes risks, benefits and side effects of lorazepam. The response comprehensively and clearly identifies potential alternative medications. The response comprehensively and clearly describes how the patient might discontinue the medication. The response comprehensively and clearly provides necessary education for discontinuing the medication for patient and fetus.
Criteria
Patient 4: Describes potential risks and side effects of continuing benzodiazepine. Describes how to taper the medication and education regarding the tapering.
Ans:
The response comprehensively and clearly describes potential side effects and risks. The response comprehensively and clearly describes how to taper the medication. The response comprehensively and clearly provides necessary patient education for tapering.
Criteria
Paper demonstrates critical thinking and synthesis of literature with five (5) evidence-based, peer reviewed scholarly references
Ans:
Paper demonstrates critical thinking and synthesis of literature with five (5) evidence-based, peer reviewed scholarly references outside of course resources.
Criteria
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting—Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused—neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided, which delineates all required criteria.
Ans:
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.
Criteria
Written Expression and Formatting—English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation
Ans:
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
Criteria
Written Expression and Formatting: The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.
Ans:
Uses correct APA format with no errors.
