Psychologists' Psychotropic Drug Reference

Book excerpt: First published in 1998. The purpose of this book is to provide prescribing psychologists and psychology students with an accurate and authoritative reference for psychotropic drugs that are commonly available for clinical prescription in North America. The reference is particularly directed for use by psychologists and psychology students who already have, or are currently developing, their professional expertise and responsibilities in the prescription and management of psychotropic pharmacotherapy as an adjunct to their psychotherapy. The Reference lists detailed drug monographs for over 100 different prescription psychotropic drugs available in North America. Thus, this reference is the most comprehensive psychotropic drug reference for clinical psychologists currently available. Each psychotropic monograph is clearly and concisely written to only reflect essential and important data that are commonly required by prescribing psychologists. Whenever available and appropriate, each monograph includes phonetic pronunciation, up to five common trade or brand names, pharmacologic or therapeutic classification and subclassification, United States Drug Enforcement Agency (USDEA) schedule designation for abuse potential, recommended dosages for adults, children and the elderly, helpful and important notes regarding methods of administration, relative contraindications, clinically significant drug interactions and more. It is hoped that by using the information presented in is book prescribing psychologists and psychology students will be better able to provide their patients with the maximum benefits of adjunctive pharmacotherapy with a minimum of adverse and toxic effects.