A patient taking fluoxetine (Prozac) complains of decreased sexual interest. A prescriber orders a "drug holiday." What teaching by the nurse would best describe a "drug holiday"?
a. Don't take the medication on Friday and Saturday.
b. Cut the tablet in half anytime to reduce the dosage.
c. Take the drug every other day.
d. Discontinue the drug for 1 week.
A
Sexual dysfunction may be managed by having the patient take a "drug holiday" which involves discontinuing medication on Fridays and Saturdays.
Cutting the tablet in half any time to reduce the dosage is an inappropriate way to effectively manage drug administration. In addition, it does not describe a "drug holiday."
The patient should not take the drug every other day, nor should it be discontinued for a week at a time as this will diminish the therapeutic levels of the drug, thereby minimizing the therapeutic effects. In addition, neither option describes a "drug holiday."
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