Savvy Psychopharmacology
Savvy Psychopharmacology
Effects of psychotropic medications on thyroid function
Ms. L, age 53, presents to an inpatient psychiatric unit with depression, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, cognitive blunting, loss of appetite...
Savvy Psychopharmacology
Serotonin syndrome: How to keep your patients safe
Mr. S, age 55, comes to your clinic as a walk-in for management of major depressive disorder, insomnia, and migraines. He also has tobacco use...
Savvy Psychopharmacology
Pharmacogenomics testing: What the FDA says
Although psychiatrists have gained more experience implementing pharmacogenomics testing in practice, confusion still exists regarding how to best...
Savvy Psychopharmacology
Psychotropic-induced hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is a common, multifactorial clinical condition. Hyponatremia is usually defined as a plasma sodium level <135 mmol/L; however,...
Savvy Psychopharmacology
Catatonia: Recognition, management, and prevention of complications
Catatonia is associated with multiple medical complications that can result in death if unrecognized or unmanaged.
Savvy Psychopharmacology
Protein binding changes and drug interactions: What do we know?
A bound drug is inactive; a free drug exerts its activity.
Savvy Psychopharmacology
Managing procedural pain in a patient taking naltrexone
Mr. M, age 55, presents to his primary care physician (PCP) with hematochezia. Mr. M states that for the past week, he has noticed blood upon...
Savvy Psychopharmacology
Paliperidone palmitate: Adjusting dosing intervals and measuring serum concentrations
Mr. B, age 27, has a 10-year history of schizophrenia. Last year, he was doing well and working 4 hours/day 3 days/week while taking oral...
Savvy Psychopharmacology
Making sense of CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 genotype vs phenotype
The clinical response to the same dose of a drug may vary among individuals. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 and 1A2 are enzymes that metabolize many...
Savvy Psychopharmacology
Treating psychosis in patients with HIV/AIDS
Mr. S, age 56, has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and schizoaffective disorder.
Savvy Psychopharmacology
Strategies for managing medication-induced hyperprolactinemia
Antipsychotics, antidepressants, hormonal preparations, antihypertensives, and gastrointestinal agents have been associated with...