system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 30-year-old man presents to his primary care doctor for a 2 month follow-up appointment. He had recently separated from his male partner of 10 years and has been struggling to maintain his weight and the rigors of work in a new start-up company. At his initial visit, he was prescribed escitalopram. 2 weeks later, the patient was instructed to continue taking the medication despite feeling more depressed. After expressing increased desire to carry out suicidal thoughts, he was hospitalized for a brief course. During this visit, he reports that he is feeling much better, but he has an elective inguinal hernia repair scheduled for the end of the week. "The surgeon said to not take anything before the surgery. Besides, I'm feeling better and don't feel like taking escitalopram everyday." What is the most appropriate response?
assistant
Continue escitalopram on day of surgery and continue afterwards for 4 more months