Running head: DEPRESSION CASE STUDY

DEPRESSION CASE STUDY 2  Insomnia, depressed mood, and loss of energy (Wells, Schwinghammer, DiPiro, & DiPiro, 2017, p. 724)  One or more major depressive episode last greater than two weeks not accompanied by manic or hypomanic episodes; substance abuse, as evidenced by recent treatment for alcoholism (Wells et. al., 2017, p. 724).  Recommended Drugs: List three recommended drugs as indicated for this diagnosis 1. Escitalopram (Lexapro) (Wells et al., 2017, p. 727) 2. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) (Wells et al., 2017, p. 728) 3. Nortriptyline (Pamelor) (Wells et al., 2017, p. 731)  Drug Categories and Subcategories: Identify the category of each recommended drug 1. Escitalopram (Lexapro) Category: Antidepressant; Subcategory: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) (Vallerand, Sanoski, & Deglin, 2013, p. 517) 2. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) Category: Antidepressant/smoking deterrent; Subcategory: Norepinephrine and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor (NDRI); aminoketones (Vallerand et. al., 2013, p. 238) 3. Nortriptyline (Pamelor) Category: Antidepressant; Subcategory: Tricyclic Antidepressant (Vallerand et. al., 2013, p. 935)DEPRESSION CASE STUDY 3  Choose antibiotic from the above three recommended drugs to treat identified disease  Escitalopram (Lexapro)  Rationale Provide rationale, clinical guidelines, or evidence for the antibiotic selected as drug of choice This 41-year-old patient is suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) and exhibiting no other physiological symptoms other than melancholy. Social history assessment reveals stressful life situations and recent substance abuse treatment. Escitalopram (Lexapro) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and equal in efficacy to other antidepressants in the treatment of major depression (Wells et al., 2017, p. 726). According to the algorithm for treatment of uncomplicated MDD, SSRIs are considered a first line treatment and if the patient fails to respond to initial therapy, in this case mirtazapine, then an alternative SSRI or non-SSRI should be prescribed (Wells et al., 2017, p. 726). This class of medications have fewer negative physiological effects than tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) and are more easily tolerated than other antidepressant agents (Wells et al., 2017, p. 730). Escitalopram was chosen because it is typically well tolerated and does not tend to cause weight gain (Wells et al, 2017, p. 733). This drug choice is considered the least aggressive, first-line medication which is known to have the best efficacy in its class for treating MDD (Wells et. al., 2017, p. 730). Escitalopram a good starting medication and after the standard 6-8 weeks of monitoring per American Psychiatric Association guidelines, the dose can be changed, a medication added, or the pharmacotherapy changed entirely (Wells et. al., 2017, p. 742).