Improving Adherence to Antidepressant Medication
Medscape: Ask the Experts about Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia. Posted Sept 20, 2006

The Question & The Response

In answering the query, “Many of my patients, especially those with depression, don’t take their medication consistently. How can I increase their adherence,” Michael E. Thase, MD, recites the requisite noncompliance litany (e.g., noncompliance is common, side-effects are one reason for non-adherence, etc) accurately and clearly, but, by my lights, the most pertinent and tellilng point he makes is the following:

My experience is congruent and I have been struck by the dearth of research that would support or refute this contention. One wonders if, as Dr. Thase and I believe, many patients are not asked about adherence, compliance might not improve somewhat as the consequence of the topic being broached without any other enhancements.

• Caregivers And Patient Compliance
• Adherence To Treatment: Tips To Patients
• Learning From Patient Noncompliance
• Noncompliance & Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia
• Noncompliance Despite Life Or Death Stakes