Question

You have been asked to counsel a patient on their new prescription for pimavanserin, which has been prescribed to control hallucinations. The patient's spouse asks how quickly they can expect to see a response. How should you reply?

A) Within 1 week
B) Within 2 weeks
C) Within 3-4 weeks
D) Within 4-6 weeks

Answer 1

Patients taking pimavanserin to control hallucinations generally begin to observe improvement within 4-6 weeks of starting the medication, although individual responses may vary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the expected time for a patient to see a response from a new prescription of pimavanserin, a medication used to control hallucinations. When advising a patient or their relatives on the onset of action for pimavanserin, it is important to provide information that is based on clinical evidence.

Clinical studies and prescribing information suggest that patients might start to notice an improvement in symptoms within several weeks, but the full therapeutic effect can take longer. So, the response time can vary, but improvements in hallucinations are generally observed within 4-6 weeks of starting the medication. As with many medications, response times can be individual, and it is important for patients to discuss their specific case with their healthcare provider.