Psychopharmacology
Robert H. Howland, MD
- Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
- July 2012 - Volume 50 · Issue 7: 13-15
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DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20120607-01
Abstract
Given the availability of a large and diverse number of medications for the treatment of various mental disorders, how should a clinician decide which medication(s) to try for any particular patient? This article explores eight questions that should be considered when selecting medication for a patient. Medication selection should be individually tailored by the answers to these questions, which take into account factors such as the diagnosis and associated symptoms, the expected efficacy/tolerability profile, medical and psychiatric comorbidity, concurrent drug use, past treatment history, family history, patient/family preferences, and cost considerations.
AUTHORS
Dr. Howland is Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The author has disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Address correspondence to Robert H. Howland, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; e-mail: HowlandRH@upmc.edu.
Posted: June 15, 2012
doi: 10.3928/02793695-20120607-01