Psychopharmacology Archives

Insomnia – Assessment and Management

December 5, 2018

Research into the neurobiological basis of insomnia has not revealed any definitive answers yet. As previously described, it is the heterogeneity of the disorder that makes it difficulty to define a precise causal relationship. [6] There are two major processes that govern the sleep-wake cycle.…

Understanding and Managing Obesity in Mental Health: Pharmacological Approaches

September 25, 2018

To tackle obesity in our patients, we need to understand the underlying neurobiology. [2] Gut-central nervous system (CNS) communication occurs via vagal nerve afferents as well as peripheral hormones. Learn more about the gut-brain axis. CNS stimuli relating to hunger and satiety is mediated by…

Metabolic and Cardiovascular Risks with Antipsychotics – How Can Clinicians Make a Difference?

September 20, 2018

Speaker Bio: Christoph Correll, MD, is professor of Psychiatry at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in New York, and Medical Director of the Recognition and Prevention (RAP) program at the Zucker Hillside Hospital in New York. He completed his medical studies in…

Use of Metabolically Friendly Antipsychotics; Depression & Cognition in Schizophrenia

July 6, 2018

Short author bio Christoph Correll, MD, is professor of Psychiatry at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in New York, and Medical Director of the Recognition and Prevention (RAP) program at the Zucker Hillside Hospital in New York. He completed his medical studies…

A Simplified Guide to Oral Antipsychotic Medications – Mechanism of Action, Side Effects and Need to Know Points

April 29, 2018

A conventional, typical or first-generation antipsychotic is defined by the ability to block dopamine (D2) receptors. They also have in, varying degrees, M1, Alpha-1 and H1 receptor blockade. Typical antipsychotics: Chlorpromazine Flupenthixol (depot) Fluphenazine (depot) Haloperidol Sulpiride Trifluoperazine How does dopamine blockade treat psychosis? Blocking…

Clinical Assessment and Management of Bipolar Disorder – Summary of Evidence Based Guidelines

April 28, 2018

Bipolar disorders are defined by the presence or history of mania/hypomania, which distinguishes them from depressive disorders. Not all patients experience mania/hypomania and hence the DSM-5 has attempted to subtype the various presentations. Please see the criteria and diagnostic interview questions for a manic episode. …

What’s Different about Agomelatine’s Mechanism of Action – Prof Hopwood and Dr Stephen Stahl

March 31, 2018

Dr Stahl, MD, is a practicing Psychiatrist in Carlsbad, USA, and author of the best-selling textbook, Essential Psychopharmacology. Dr Stahl has held faculty positions at Stanford University, the University of California at Los Angeles, the Institute of Psychiatry London, the Institute of Neurology London, and,…

Meet the Big 21 from the Largest Ever Study on Antidepressants – Mechanisms of Actions, Side effects and Indications

March 26, 2018

Need to know: Dose – 25-50 mg nocte Metabolised by CYP1A2 – therefore inhibitors like fluvoxamine and ciprofloxacin are contraindications Monitor Liver function tests at 3,6,12 and 24 weeks. Discontinue if ALT or AST exceed 3 times normal range. We covered a detailed summary of…

Efficacy and Acceptability of Antidepressants in Acute Depression – What Does the Largest Ever Research Study on Antidepressants Tell Us?

March 23, 2018

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of Randomised controlled trials (RCT’s) lie at the top of the hierarchy of evidence-based medicine and are essential tools in highlighting the effectiveness of interventions. You can view a video about how to appraise a systematic review and meta-analysis. The purposes…

Schizophrenia in Women – Role of Estrogen and Novel Treatments

February 26, 2018

Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, discusses the unique aspects of schizophrenia in women. Estrogen is a gonadal hormone that can exert powerful effects in numerous regions of the brain, consequently affecting mood, cognition, and behaviour. We…

PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY