Handbook of Essential Psychopharmacology

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, Fall 1998 by Cold, Julie A

RONALD W. PIES. Handbook of Essential Psychopharmacology. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Press, Inc., 1998. xvi 416 pp., 6 figs., 70 tbls. $39.95.

Handbook of Essential Psychopharmacology is an excellent source of current information on psychopharmacology concepts that are encountered in daily practice. The author states that this handbook is a `companion` to his 1994 text, Clinical Manual of Psychiatric Diagnosis and Treatment: A Biopsychological Approach. The target audience is identified as psychiatrists, however many clinicians will find this an informative handbook. The four major drug classes covered in thorough detail include antidepressants. antipsychotics, anxiolytics and sedative/hypnotics, and mood stabilizers.

The handbook is written in a manner that will be useful for either a novice who has an interest in psychopharmacology or the seasoned practitioner in the psychiatric pharmacy field. Four chapters covering the four major drug classes are presented. Each chapter begins with a brief review of basic psychopharmacology concepts. Extensive tables are furnished in each chapter following the psychopharmacology review. Topics covered in the tables include, but are not limited to, diagnosis, drug mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic parameters, dosage equivalencies, comparative costs of generic medications, side effects and methods of remedying the side effect, and drug interactions and the seriousness of the drug combination. The third part of each chapter is composed of a question and answer section of clinically relevant issues. The author critically evaluates current literature and incorporates some information from his own clinical practice to answer the questions that are posed. Vignettes and puzzlers round out the end of each chapter. These cases are accompanied by a discussion of `clinical pearls, used to determine appropriate use of psychiatric medications. Each chapter is well referenced with current citations.

In an effort to determine the usefulness of this handbook for a novice, I asked my students to try out the handbook during their Psychiatry Advanced Practice Experience. The students gave a favorable review of the handbook. They stated it was small enough to carry and a useful reference to answer questions posed in a clinical psychiatry site. In addition, the cost of the handbook is reasonable.

The major drawback of this handbook is that the information contained in it will be quickly outdated since psychopharmacology knowledge is expanding rapidly. Nevertheless, major psychopharmacological concepts are clearly and concisely described in the handbook so it will continue to be an excellent resource. This handbook is recommended for clinicians who are looking for an inexpensive yet comprehensive guide to psychopharmacology.

Julie A. Cold

Mercer University