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 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 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 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.
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