Prozac, Zoloft or Valium? Most people rely on a trial-and-error method when they’re looking for an antidepressant that’s suited to them. According to medical health organisation Iodine, a large number of people feel in the dark about whether or not their medication is even working, which could have something to do with doctors not having the means to constantly monitor their patient’s health. Iodine’s app, Start is a tool that allows its users to track their progress while taking antidepressants.
The free downloadable app is a six-week programme designed to help people figure out whether their antidepressant is right for them or not. It monitors various factors during the treatment period, including medication intake, mood, and personal issues (exercise, relationship, sleep) specified by each user. Every two weeks, users receive a personal progress report, which gives them or their doctors updated insight about their experience with the medication. After six weeks, an informed decision can be made based on what the data reveals about the patient’s experience with the antidepressant.
Iodine developed Start with the help of pharmacists, doctors and University of California physicians, who are experts in medication adherence and primary care treatment. The six-week programme is based on widely used clinical practice guidelines, STAR-D – the largest study ever conducted on real life experience with antidepressants – and other medical reviews.
The app is currently only available for iOS 8 and later models.
