Which of the following is true about pharmacotherapy for depression?

Prepare for the ITE Board General Internal Medicine test. Utilize structured study resources, flashcards, and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to ensure exam success!

Increasing the dose can be an effective option for individuals who do not respond adequately to initial treatment for depression. This approach is based on the understanding that some patients may require higher doses of medication to reach therapeutic levels that adequately address their symptoms.

In clinical practice, if a patient is not showing significant improvement after a standard trial period on a particular antidepressant, a clinician may consider dose adjustments. This can lead to improved outcomes for patients who may have a partial response to their current dosage but require more medication to achieve symptomatic relief.

It is important to regularly monitor patients, as well, to assess their response to the medication and manage any possible side effects that may arise with increased dosing. Studies show that adjusting the dose can sometimes be more effective than switching to a different medication early in the treatment process. Therefore, this strategy is an integral part of managing depression pharmacotherapy effectively.

The other options represent misconceptions about depression treatment. For instance, using only one medication at a time is often the standard practice, but it's not universally applicable, as some patients may benefit from combination therapies. Additionally, combination therapy can be effective in many cases and isn't considered often ineffective; rather, it's a strategy that some patients may find beneficial. Lastly, while adding psychotherapy can

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