Clinical Handbook of Psychotropic Drugs Online

Introduction

This is the online version of the popular Clinical Handbook of Psychotropic Drugs, currently in its 24th print edition.

The Clinical Handbook of Psychotropic Drugs is a user-friendly and practical resource guide for health care practitioners working in any setting where psychotropic drugs are utilized. Its content is derived from various forms of published literature (including randomized controlled trials, scientific data such as pharmacokinetic trials, cohort trials, case series, and case reports) as well as from leading clinical experts. We endeavor to continually update this handbook as the scientific literature evolves, so we can provide current evidence-based and clinically relevant information to optimize patient care. New sections, periodically added, reflect changes in therapy and in current practice.

For the 24th edition, we have again revised and updated the handbook throughout and added a number of new treatments and formulations that include: (1) viloxazine, the first new drug to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents in over a decade, a non-stimulant medication with quick onset of action, due to become available as this edition of the Clinical Handbook of Psychotropic Drugs was being finalized, (2) brexanolone, a GABAA receptor positive modulator that is the first drug specifically developed to treat postpartum depression, (3) lumateperone, a second-generation antipsychotic that has a unique receptor binding profile and differs from other antipsychotics in that it modulates glutamate, serotonin, and dopamine, (4) a new extended-release subcutaneous formulation of risperidone, (5) lemborexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of insomnia, and (6) a new initiation regimen for aripiprazole long-acting injection approved by the European Medicines Agency and Health Canada that is based on modeling and simulation data. Augmentation strategies for both antidepressants and antipsychotics have been comprehensively revised, and the neuroscience-based nomenclature system that focuses on pharmacology and mode of action has been added to product availability tables within individual chapters. And the developments don’t stop there.

Instantly recognizable icons and color coding, search and browse features, charts and tables of comparisons are employed to enable the reader to have quick access to information.

Both American and Canadian trade names are used in the text. Though plasma levels are given in SI units, conversion rates to Imperial US units are available in the text.

Given that changes may occur in a medication’s indications, and differences are seen among countries, specific “indications” listed in this text as “approved” should be viewed in conjunction with product monographs approved in your jurisdiction of interest.

Dose comparisons and plasma levels are based on scientific data. However, it is important to note that some patients will respond to doses outside the reported ranges. Age, sex, and the medical condition of the patient must always be taken into consideration when prescribing any psychotropic agent.

Patient Information Sheets for most drug categories are provided as printable pdf files to facilitate education/counseling of patients receiving these medications. For details, please see the Patient Information Sheets section in the menu on the left.

Over the years, many readers have asked challenging questions and provided useful feedback regarding the content and format of the handbook. This input is critical to keeping the handbook in both its online and print editions current, accurate, and relevant. Please feel free to e-mail me at the address below with your comments and questions.

Ric M. Procyshyn
E-mail: rprocyshyn@bcmhs.bc.ca