[Answered]: A patient being treated for depression has been…

A patient being treated for depression has been taking 300 mg amitriptyline (Elavil) daily for nearly a year. She calls her case manager at the mental health clinic, stating she stopped taking her antidepressant 2 days ago and has developed something like the “flu,” with cold sweats, nausea, a rapid heartbeat, terrible nightmares when she sleeps, but no other symptoms. How should the nurse respond? Advise her to go to the nearest emergency department for an evaluation. Tell her to take two aspirin, drink plenty of fluids, and call her family doctor. Explain it may be withdrawal; tell her to take one Elavil and contact her doctor. Direct her to take the medicine every other day for 2 weeks, then stop.