Medication management is a recognized discipline within western medicine. It is not a medical specialty per se, yet certain clinicians and practices offer it as a specialized service. Medication management is something I fully understand in the context of pharmacological medicine. But how does it apply to plant-based medicine?
Plant-based medicine doesn’t have a concrete definition, which is partly responsible for my questions. Some people define it as using parts of plants and trees, directly, for medicinal purposes. Others prefer a broader definition that includes medicines derived directly from plants or plant constituents.
In either case, plant-based medicine is viewed as being less risky than its pharmacological counterpart. Because patients are consuming plants rather than prescription drugs, the thought is that there is less danger of negative interactions and unpleasant side effects. So why is medication management necessary?
The Same Concerns
Just because plant-based medicines are not pharma logical in terms of their origin, this doesn’t mean they do not come with side effects. Most do. In addition, there is the issue of efficacy. Just like with prescription medications, combining multiple plant-based medicines could undermine the efficacy of each one. Therefore, medication management in a plant-based scenario is nearly identical to its pharmacological counterpart.
A Utah primary care clinic known as KindlyMD does a particularly good job of explaining medication management in plant-based scenarios. They offer medication management in addition to mental health services and assistance in obtaining a Utah Med Card. Understanding the Med Card is where this all comes together.
What They Do for Patients
Possessing a Utah Medical Card allows a patient to purchase, possess, and consume plant-based medicines that are not available through traditional prescriptions. Only patients with qualifying conditions are eligible for the cards. KindlyMD not only assists them in getting their cards, but they also advise on how to use the medicines effectively.
Here are the medication management services they offer, as per their website:
- Med Card evaluations and recommendations.
- Qualifying condition education.
- Customized treatment plans.
- Continuing care and dosage modifications.
- Continuing education relating to plant-based medicines.
Without getting into the details of the plant-based medicines KindlyMD patients have access to, those medicines are subject to different delivery methods and dosages. One patient may prefer an edible product while another might prefer a tincture placed under the tongue. Still another patient might prefer vaping her medication.
Delivery methods and dosages need to be managed in order to ensure efficacy. But there is also the side effect issue. Some patients prefer to layer their medicines. Yet layering can lead to an unpleasant experience. Clinicians help patients sort it all out so that they stay safe while maximizing the benefits.
It’s a Complex Enterprise
If I understand medication management correctly, I think it’s best described as a complex enterprise. There are a lot of moving parts as it were. There is also a tremendous amount of knowledge to be had. With so many plant-based medicines available throughout the world, it truly takes a specialist to help patients manage their medications successfully.
The long and short of it is that medication management is pretty similar in both pharmacological and plant-based medicine. When you have a patient taking multiple medications simultaneously, those medications need to be managed correctly. We have now reached a point where people are taking so many medications that medication management is needed as a specialized discipline.
Do you use plant-based medicines? I’ve so, do you rely on your doctor or pharmacist to help you manage them? There is no shame in doing so. Medication management helps you get the most out of your medications.