Psychotropic drug

About: Psychotropic drug is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2309 publications have been published within this topic receiving 54070 citations.

Changes in Growth and Distribution of Hair Associated with Psychotropic Drug Use

Abstract: Drugs can produce a spectrum of hair disorders, ranging from barely detectable shedding to complete loss of hair, from hypertrichosis to hirsutism. Despite the variety of possible disorders and chemical culprits, hair is damaged in a stereotypical manner. The target of the insult is the mitotic rate of the keratinocytes in the hair matrix. Mitotic activity can be stimulated or arrested, but since the hair is a dynamic structure with cyclic phases of growth and rest, the final result depends on the phase in which the insult occurs. A number of psychotropic drugs have been reported to be associated with hair loss, including some antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) reuptake inhibitors, and lithium, carbamazepine, valproic acid (sodium valproate) and vigabatrin. Phenytoin and phenothiazines have been reported to cause hypertrichosis. Despite these reports, the risk of hair loss, or more rarely hypertrichosis, during the use of these agents is difficult to assess. The possibility of spontaneous hair loss and coincidental use of the drug should be taken into account. Considering the large number of patients seeking dermatological advice for spontaneous telogen effluvium, often related to emotional strain, the incrimination of a psychotropic drug in this condition is doubtful. Exceptions may be hair loss associated with lithium and hypertrichosis associated with phenytoin, for which the evidence is more convincing. However, before discontinuing a psychotropic drug on these grounds, the advice of a dermatologist should be sought. The reporting of drug-induced changes in hair should be done on a more cautious basis, and include details of the relationship between the initiation of drug administration and that of hair changes, and microscopic examination of the hair roots.

Teaching the Teachers of Clinical Psychopharmacology

Abstract: This commentary focuses on psychopharmacology teachers and their teaching. The authors offer broadly based pedagogic suggestions on how to deliver evidence-based and neurobiologically informed prescribing information to clinicians at all levels of experience. They argue that teaching essential psychopharmacology knowledge and practice must be up-to-date, accurate, and consistent with the reality of an individual patient’s life experience and beliefs. They stress that educators must teach that nonpsychopharmacological factors in a patient’s life may be as relevant to the treatment setting as the actual pharmacological basis of psychotropic drug therapeutics.

Principales factores de riesgo relacionados con el intento suicida en un grupo de adolescentes

Abstract: A longitudinal and retrospective descriptive study of 87 adolescents that attempted against their lives was carried out from January, 2012 to December, 2014. They belonged to "Jose Marti Perez" Teaching Polyclinic inSantiago de Cuba, in order to determine the main risk factors of suicidal attempt in this population group. The female sex (73.5%), the 15-19 years age group (60.9%), the dysfunctional families (72.4%) prevailed and the psychotropic drug consumption was the method most frequently used (51.7%). The main predisposing factors were: hereditary family history (19.5%), domiciliary violence (18.3%), as well as behavioral dysfunctions and depressions (17.2%).

Plasma Alpha-One Acid Glycoprotein and Haloperidol Concentrations in Schizophrenic Patients

Abstract: Thirty six schizophrenic patients were randomly assigned to placebo or haloperidol treatment for 6 weeks. Blood samples to measure plasma alpha-one acid glycoprotein (AAG), haloperidol and reduced haloperidol concentrations were obtained at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 6. Blood samples were obtained 10-12 h after the evening dose and prior to the morning dose. Haloperidol and reduced haloperidol was assayed by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Plasma AAG levels were assayed by radial immunodiffusion. Patients were clinically assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 6. BPRS scores did not significantly decrease during placebo treatment, although a slight drop in plasma AAG levels was found. Haloperidol produced a significant decrease in BPRS scores and plasma AAG levels. Mean plasma haloperidol levels were 12.9 ± 14.7 ng/ml at week 6. Significant correlations between decreasing BPRS scores and plasma AAG levels were not found with only a strong trend at week 2 (r = 0.445, p = 0.073). The role of AAG and psychotropic drug disposition in psychiatric patients requires further evaluation.