Question 15

Therapeutic duplication exists between aripiprazole and olanzapine.

The prescriptions indicate that both aripiprazole and olanzapine are antipsychotic medications. When a patient is prescribed both, it represents a therapeutic duplication as they serve similar therapeutic purposes in managing psychiatric conditions.

A) Aripiprazole and omeprazole

This combination does not represent a therapeutic duplication. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used to reduce stomach acid, which does not overlap with the antipsychotic effects of aripiprazole.

B) Aripiprazole and olanzapine

This option is correct as both medications are antipsychotics used to treat similar psychiatric disorders. Prescribing both can lead to unnecessary duplication in therapy, which can increase the risk of side effects without providing additional therapeutic benefits.

C) Amiodarone and metformin

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication, while metformin is used for managing diabetes. These two medications serve entirely different purposes and do not duplicate therapy.

D) Amiodarone and buspirone

Amiodarone and buspirone also do not represent therapeutic duplication. Amiodarone is used for cardiac issues, while buspirone is an anxiolytic medication. Their mechanisms of action and therapeutic indications are distinct from each other.

Conclusion

The identification of therapeutic duplication is crucial in medication management to prevent adverse effects and unnecessary medication use. In this case, the overlap between aripiprazole and olanzapine clearly indicates the potential for duplicative therapy, while all other options involve medications that do not serve overlapping therapeutic purposes. Thus, option B is the only correct choice.