Weighing the Pros and Cons
New medications may offer a variety of benefits to those who take them. For instance, some medications may be fast-acting and provide symptom relief in a matter of days rather than weeks, others may be long-acting and do not need to be taken on a daily basis, making it easier to stick to a treatment plan. Others may have fewer or less severe side effects than their older counterparts. However, new medications just like all medications, may have their drawbacks. Some have to be taken at the doctor’s office, which can be difficult for people with strict job schedules or transportation issues. An individual may not tolerate a medication well, or a new medication may have serious interactions with prescriptions taken for other health conditions. It is always best to discuss any medication changes with your loved one’s treatment provider and pharmacist.
Additionally, new treatments may be very expensive or not be covered by insurance. If your loved one has been prescribed a new medication, but you are having trouble affording their care, there are prescription assistance programs available to help cover costs. Often these programs are available from the companies that produce the medications themselves.
Clinical Trials
Another option for individuals who haven’t found relief is to participate in a clinical trial. Treatment trials may explore combining existing medications in new ways, testing medicines that are still in development, or using medical procedures or devices to reduce symptoms. While they are designed to be as safe as possible, there is a very real risk that a person could have medical complications while participating in an experimental treatment trial. To learn more about the process of participating in a clinical trial, visit www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you.
Caring for yourself is an important part of being a caregiver
Being a caregiver can be hard, so it’s important to check in on your own mental health from time to time. Visit mhascreening.org to take a free, anonymous, and confidential screen.
