Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the principles of psychopharmacology, which is the study of drugs used to treat psychiatric disorders. The chapter provides important information related to drug indications, interactions, side effects and precautions, and discusses consumer education and the issues of adherence and as needed (prn) medication administration. The use of drugs that have a demonstrated ability to relieve the symptoms of psychiatric disorders has become widespread since the mid-1950s (Baldessarini & Tarazi 2001). The pharmacological agents used in current psychiatric practice are the anti-anxiety sedatives, antidepressants, mood-stabilising, neuroleptic and antipsychotic drugs. Collectively, these drugs are referred to as psychotropic medications and are the focus of discussion in this chapter.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing |
| Editors | Ruth Elder, Katie Evans, Debra Nizette |
| Place of Publication | Chatswood, Australia |
| Publisher | Elsevier Australia |
| Pages | 504-521 |
| Edition | 3 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780729540988 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Keywords
- Mental Health Nursing
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