Concise Guide to Psychopharmacology - Softcover

"This guide is exactly what is sets out to be& mdash;informative, concise, and efficient. It is welcome in the field of psychiatry as a complement to the more information-heavy textbooks. Without questions, it holds its own when compared to other books of its kind in the field."& mdash; "Corey Goldstein, M.D., Doody's Health Science Book Reviews," "January 2003" "This little book will warm your heart, especially if its 6.5 by 4 inch bulk slides easily into your shirt pocket, as it does mine, nestling over my heart and protecting me from bullets, both chemical and real."- "Roy Sugarman Ph.D., Metapsychology Online Book Reviews," "November 2003" "This guide is exactly what is sets out to be-informative, concise, and efficient. It is welcome in the field of psychiatry as a complement to the more information-heavy textbooks. Without questions, it holds its own when compared to other books of its kind in the field."- "Corey Goldstein, M.D., Doody's Health Science Book Reviews," "January 2003"

This clinical companion begins with an overview of the general principles relevant to the safe and effective use of psychotropic medications. Subsequent chapters present clinically relevant information (for example, mechanisms of action, clinical use, contraindication, risks and side effects, drug interactions, dosing strategies and monitoring guidelines) about the major classes of psychotropic medications (antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants and cholinesterase inhibitors) and the disorders for which they are prescribed - with the caveat that the nomenclature is somewhat artificial because, for example, many antidepressant medications are also used to treat anxiety disorders. The authors also highlight critical differences and similarities among medications. For example, although antidepressants appear to be equally effective in treating major depression, they differ significantly from each other in side effects, lethality in overdose, pharmacokinetics, efficacy in treating comorbid psychiatric disorders and individual patient response.