Question

A client explains to a nurse that he had been taking amitriptyline (elavil) for depression having some improvement. the provider recently changed his medication to clomipramine (anafranil). the client is confused as to why his medication was changed to "the same type of drug." what is the nurse's best response?

Answer 1

The nurse should explain well to the client that though the medication is similar, some client respond better to the other drug. Moreover, it could be that the provider has changed his medication to clomipramine because amitriptyline has unbearable side effects like impaired immune and sexual function, weight gain, blurred vision, trouble urinating and constipation.

Answer 2

The answer would be: These drugs are similar but some clients respond better to one than the other.

Elavil and anafranil come from similar drug family of amitriptyline type. But they have a different structure which will have some effect on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of the drug.
This could lead to different response and results in the different patient. The drug is similar, but the effect might be different.