Six Core Services
Treatment Review &
Medication Optimization
Systematic regimen evaluation and safe deprescribing. Dr. Farkas's pharmaceutical research background makes her uniquely equipped to review complex psychiatric medication regimens — identifying what's necessary, what isn't, and what could be better.
PhD
Pharmaceutical research background
Safe
Evidence-based deprescribing
↓
Fewer meds, better outcomes
What's included
✓
Detailed analysis of each medication's indication and current value✓
Drug interaction analysis across full regimen✓
Side effect burden assessment and mitigation✓
Strategic deprescribing: safely stopping what's unnecessary✓
Regimen reorganization and simplification✓
Clear rationale: why each medication stays, changes, or stopsSigns You Need a Treatment Review
Six signals that your regimen
needs a systematic review
💊
On 4+ Psychiatric Medications
Complex polypharmacy often accumulates gradually, with each new medication added to address side effects or incomplete response from others. A strategic review asks whether each is still necessary.
❓
Unclear Why You're on Each Med
"I think I started this one 5 years ago but I'm not sure why anymore." This is more common than you'd think — and it's a problem. Every medication should have a clear, current rationale.
😔
Cumulative Side Effect Burden
Weight gain, sexual dysfunction, cognitive fog, fatigue, metabolic changes — when multiple medications each contribute a small side effect, the total burden can be significant.
🏥
Recent Hospitalization or Major Change
Psychiatric hospitalization or a major life change is often a good time to reassess whether the current regimen is still the right regimen going forward.
💰
High Medication Costs
Multiple brand-name psychiatric medications represent significant monthly costs. Deprescribing what's unnecessary or switching to effective generic alternatives can make a real difference.
🔍
Feeling Like a "Walking Pharmacy"
Many patients with complex regimens describe feeling like their medications manage them rather than the other way around. A systematic review asks: what would life look like with less?
The Process
How Dr. Farkas approaches
medication optimization
This is not a quick scan of your medication list. It's a systematic, evidence-based evaluation of each medication's mechanism, current contribution, and interaction profile — followed by a strategic plan.
1
Complete Medication Reconciliation
Every psychiatric medication reviewed: original indication, when started, current dose, what it was supposed to do, what it's actually doing, and current side effects.
2
Objective Contribution Assessment
What evidence supports that each medication is actively contributing to your wellbeing? Medications that were helpful 5 years ago may no longer be necessary.
3
Interaction Analysis
Full drug-drug interaction analysis across the regimen. Some side effects attributed to specific medications are actually interaction effects that can be resolved differently.
4
Deprescribing Plan
Safe, evidence-based tapering protocols for medications identified as unnecessary. Deprescribing is never abrupt — it's planned, monitored, and reversible.
5
Ongoing Monitoring
Regular follow-up appointments tracking both symptom stability and side effect improvement as the regimen simplifies.
Medications Dr. Farkas commonly reviews
💊
Antidepressants
SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs — evaluating whether the chosen class and dose are still optimal
⚖️
Mood Stabilizers
Lithium, valproate, lamotrigine — monitoring levels, efficacy, and long-term side effects
🧠
Atypical Antipsychotics
Metabolic monitoring, weight management, and evaluating whether augmentation is still needed
⚡
Stimulants & ADHD Meds
Optimizing dose and formulation; evaluating cardiovascular and sleep impacts
😴
Sedatives & Sleep Aids
Benzodiazepine review, Z-drug evaluation, and safer long-term alternatives
Expected Outcomes
What a successful
treatment review achieves
↓
Fewer medications with equal or better symptom control
↓
Reduced side effect burden — feeling more like yourself
✓
Clear understanding of what each remaining medication does
↓
Lower monthly medication costs in many cases
Getting Started
What to bring to
your treatment review
The more context you bring, the more productive the review. A complete medication list — including doses, start dates, and what each medication was prescribed for — is the most useful starting point.
Prior records from other providers are helpful but not required. Dr. Farkas will conduct her own comprehensive evaluation regardless of what records are available.
Complete medication list with doses, start dates, and indications
Any prior lab work relevant to your medications (lithium levels, metabolic panels)
Notes on side effects that are bothersome or affecting quality of life
Prior provider records if available (not required)
Your goals: what would you like to be different about your regimen?
Your medications should serve you,
not the other way around.
Strategic medication review and safe deprescribing. New patients welcome.