Psychotropic drugs

Antipsychotics associated with increased risk of pneumonia

The use of antipsychotic drugs in patients with Alzheimer’s disease doubles their risk of pneumonia, while pneumonia risk in patients without AD who take antipsychotics is more than three-fold, according to research from Finland.…

RPS joins forces with professional bodies to tackle ‘chemical restraint’ prescribing

The RPS has joined forces with other professional bodies to tackle the over-prescribing of psychotopic drugs to adults with learning disabilities.…

Depression and not medication associated with decreased odds of pregnancy

Psychotropic medicines had no effect on fecundity in trial of 2,146 women but severe depression decreased chances of pregnancy by 38%.…

Psilocybin shows potential as treatment for depression

First of its kind clinical trial shows drug found in ‘magic mushrooms’ reduces symptoms of severe depression.…

Bipolar disorder: pharmacotherapy options with a focus on women of childbearing age

Bipolar disorder and its implications for women of childbearing age, with a focus on the use of valproate and how this compares to other available pharmacologic treatments.…

Use of psychotropic drugs in stroke patients must be carefully considered

Patients with a stroke diagnosis are more frequently prescribed psychotropic drugs than other patients, data from Denmark show.…

Considerations in selecting pharmacological treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is highly prevalent and is associated with significant impairment across the lifespan.…

A solid overview of psychotropic drugs

‘Fundamentals of clinical psychopharmacology 4th edition’, edited by Ian M. Anderson and R. Hamish McAllister-Williams.…

Joel Elkes (1913–2015)

A pioneer of neuropsychopharmacology, Joel Elkes’ research on the drug chlorpromazine helped revolutionise the treatment of those with psychotic illness.…

Blood test could show whether an antidepressant is effective, research suggests

Psychiatrists could be on the way to developing a test that predicts which patients with depression will benefit from which antidepressant.…