Below are links to the MANY articles on this website about Psychiatric Medications, which is the title of the relevant chapter in the DSM-5-TR®.
Also see:
– Side Effects (Main Menu)
– Drug Interactions (Main Menu)
Since we have a large number of articles, we have organized them into several Menus that list and link to all the articles on this website, so that our Members (subscribers) can quickly find the information they are looking for.
How to use the Menus
1. At the top of every page on the website, you will find a tab for *MENUS*. Click on that tab to get to a list of all the main menus.
2. Click on the broad categories below to expand them and see links to all our articles under that category. When you are done, click the category again to collapse it.
For our Members (subscribers) only: If you have any difficulty finding the article you need, just email us, and we’ll locate it for you.
Prescribing-related articles
How to get advice if extra medication is taken by mistake
Your patient may be taking a psychiatric medication by another brand name
How to find basic information about medications on this website
Tips for writing prescriptions: for how long, how many refills?
Is e-prescribing worth it?
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)
Where to look up information on drug shortages
Should we send only a “trial prescription”?
Psychopharmacology in Special Populations
Agitation
Bariatric surgery
What to do about medications after bariatric surgery
How to manage lithium treatment before and after bariatric surgery
Is bupropion sustained-release OK to use after bariatric surgery?
Why and how to monitor and evaluate for suicide risk after bariatric surgery
Why, who, and how to monitor for increased alcohol use after bariatric surgery
Pregnancy and lactation
Always keep in mind the possibility of a future pregnancy
Five websites for information regarding psychotropic medications and pregnancy
Lactation and psychotropic medications: Resources
Pregnancy registries for women who become pregnant while on a psychotropic medication
Is lamotrigine use during pregnancy safe?
Tips on using lithium during pregnancy
Are the Z-drugs (zolpidem and others) safe to take during pregnancy?
Are you about to prescribe a medication that could lead to an unwanted pregnancy?
Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Lactation: Key Facts and Recommendations
Surgery and anesthesia
What to do about psychotropic medications during elective major surgery
Can patients who are NPO not take medications orally?
Demystified: Potentially very serious interactions between MAO inhibitors (MAOI) and opioid analgesics
What to do about stimulant medications for surgery or other procedures under anesthesia
Other
Medication Interactions with Food
Which psychiatric medications MUST be taken with food?
For medications that must be taken “with food,” how recent does the eating have to be?
Which psychotropic medications should be taken WITHOUT food?
Medications to be taken consistently, either with or without food
Do’s and don’ts regarding mixing medication with food or beverages
Resources for Patients
What is the ONE website that is BEST for all your patient education needs?
FDA-approved “Medication Guides” for patients
Patient handouts: Potential side effects of psychiatric medications
Patient handouts from Simple and Practical
The BEST app for medication reminders/medication management
What are the BEST books on each topic related to psychiatry/ mental health?
Anti-Addiction Medications
Antianxiety Medications
Antidepressant Medications
Antipsychotic Medications
Agitation medications
Antiamyloid antibodies
Antiamyloid antibodies—General articles
New, “disease-modifying” treatments for Alzheimer’s disease
Why amyloid-β and amyloid plaques are so important
Antiamyloid antibodies—Lecanemab
Untangling exactly whom lecanemab (Leqembi®) is FDA-approved for
How well does lecanemab (Leqembi®) work?
Should we recommend treatment with lecanemab (Leqembi®)?
Lecanemab (Leqembi®) carries an important boxed warning
Antiamyloid antibodies—Donanemab
A brief review of donanemab (Kisunla®) for Alzheimer’s disease
Anticholinergic medications
Should we routinely prescribe an anticholinergic with an antipsychotic?
Anticholinergic medications prescribed by mental health clinicians: Menu of options
Clinically important differences between anticholinergic medications
For how long should anticholinergics be given for antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism?
After a few months, try to reduce/ stop anticholinergic medication
How does toxicity from anticholinergic medications present clinically?
Cholinergic rebound syndrome: Why we should NOT stop anticholinergic medications abruptly
An anticholinergic medication for antidepressant discontinuation (withdrawal)?
Topical anticholinergics for localized hyperhidrosis
Beta-blockers
Clinical tips on using a beta-blocker for performance anxiety (“stage fright”)
Beta-blockers for panic disorder?
Akathisia: Treatment with a beta-blocker
Beta-blockers for lithium-induced benign tremor
What are the different types of beta-blockers?
Can beta-blockers cause depression or is this a myth?
CNS side effects of beta-blockers
Beta-blockers can either worsen or improve erectile dysfunction
Which beta-blockers in persons with diabetes?
Are beta-blockers contraindicated in asthma?
Bibliotherapy
Bibliotherapy: Recommend books to your patients and their families
BEST Books on Depressive disorders: for patients and families
BEST books on how to change habits
BEST books about how to lose weight
An Unquiet Mind
BEST books on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
BEST books on Adult Asperger’s Syndrome
Best books on adult ADHD: For patients and families
Book review: Mindfulness prescription for Adult ADHD
Book review: ADHD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
Best book for choosing a rehab
Cholinesterase Inhibitors—see Cognitive Enhancers
Cognitive Enhancers
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Alzheimer’s disease: Medications
How to choose a cholinesterase inhibitor
Switch cholinesterase inhibitors?
Medications for dementia: Alternative preparations
What is benzgalantamine (Zunveyl®) and how is it different?
Donepezil (Aricept®, Aricept ODT®): Basic Information
Galantamine (Razadyne, Razadyne ER): Basic Information
Rivastigmine (Exelon®, Exelon® Patch): Basic Information
In what situations should we STOP cholinesterase inhibitors in patients with dementia?
Memantine
Digital therapeutics
Dopamine Agonists
Dopamine agonists—General articles
Can a dopamine agonist (pramipexole, ropinirole) and a stimulant be combined?
Dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS)
Pramipexole
Pramipexole: Basic information
Pramipexole for major depressive disorder or bipolar depression
Tips on using pramipexole for mood disorders
Potential adverse effects of pramipexole
Can a dopamine agonist (pramipexole, ropinirole) and a stimulant be combined?
Important! Dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS)
Ropinirole
GABA-A positive modulators
Hypnotic Medications
Ketogenic diet and psychotropic medications
Medications for treating feeding and eating disorders
Medications for treating obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
SSRIs for OCD
Higher than usual doses of SSRIs for OCD?
SSRIs for OCD: How high can we go?
Clomipramine versus SSRIs for OCD
Add clomipramine to an SSRI for OCD?
Concerns about combining clomipramine and SSRIs
How exactly to add clomipramine to an SSRI
When and how to check the clomipramine level
How to interpret clomipramine and desmethylclomipramine levels
OCD: Second-line medications
Antipsychotic “augmentation” for OCD
Is fluvoxamine more effective for OCD than other SSRIs?
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Poor man’s vortioxetine
Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Pharmacological treatment
How to use serotonin reuptake inhibitors to treat body dysmorphic disorder
How to treat excoriation (skin picking) disorder: Pharmacological treatment
Medications for treating sexual dysfunction
General
Beta-blockers can worsen or improve erectile dysfunction
Cyproheptadine (Periactin®) for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction (ADISD)?
Which antidepressant for the treatment of premature ejaculation?
Treatment of premature ejaculation with antidepressants—daily or as-needed?
Flibanserin
Flibanserin (Addyi®)
Flibanserin (Addyi®) in postmenopausal women
Flibanserin (Addyi®): Basic information
Flibanserin (Addyi®): Systematic list of references
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors)
Medications for treating trauma and stress-related disorders
Does prazosin work for PTSD? If so, for which symptoms?
How exactly should we dose prazosin in PTSD?
Warning! Prazosin can lead to hypotension/ syncope after the first dose
PTSD-associated nightmares: Menu of treatment options
Are psychostimulant medications contraindicated in persons with PTSD?
Melatonin receptor agonists
Melatonin
Melatonin: An introduction
Does melatonin work for insomnia?
Low-dose preparations of melatonin
Which brand and preparation of melatonin to recommend
Melatonin agonists for preventing and treating delirium?
What are the potential side effects of melatonin?
Does melatonin need to be gradually tapered off when stopping it?
Can melatonin have negative effects on puberty?
Can melatonin increase blood sugar?
What drug interactions can occur with melatonin?
Ramelteon
Miscellaneous
Mood Stabilizer Medications
Muscarinic agonist
Xanomeline+Trospium (Cobenfy™)
The rationale for xanomeline+trospium (Cobenfy™), approved for the treatment of schizophrenia
Efficacy of xanomeline+trospium (Cobenfy™) and comparison with second-generation antipsychotics
Xanomeline+trospium (Cobenfy™): Side effects
Psychedelics
Considerable beneficial effects are reported by psilocybin users
What side effects can psilocybin have?
Can psilocybin lead to suicide or other self-harm?
Is psilocybin addictive?
Can psychedelics cause serotonin toxicity (syndrome)?
Can a psychedelic be taken along with lithium?
What we need to know about hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD)
Stimulant (Psychostimulant) Medications
Thyroid hormones
Thyroid hormones for psychopharmacologists: What’s what
Pros and cons of liothyronine (T3) and levothyroxine (T4)
Levothyroxine (T4) for augmentation of antidepressants?
Thyroid hormone for adjunctive treatment (augmentation) with an SSRI?
Liothyronine (T3) adjunctive treatment: How much and for how long?
Which thyroid hormone to use if one is needed for lithium-induced hypothyroidism
Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) Inhibitors
Deutetrabenazine
Valbenazine
General
Vitamins and Minerals
Wakefulness-promoting agents
Armodafinil
Modafinil
Modafinil for ADHD?
Modafinil as an adjunct for major depressive disorder?
Do modafinil/ armodafinil need cardiovascular monitoring
Modafinil (Provigil®): Basic Information
Solriamfetol
Weight-Loss Medications and Treatments
Cost of Medications
How to find out the price of medications, compare prices, and get the lowest possible price
Tips on reducing the cost of medications by using higher-strength pills
Should we encourage patients to use independent pharmacies?
A simple way to significantly reduce the cost of l-methylfolate (Deplin®)
Prescription drug plans
What is the procedure for obtaining an early medication refill?
Prior authorization for medications
Pharmacy benefit managers
Online pharmacies
Should we recommend Costplusdrugs.com for lowering the cost of medications?
Medication prices on Costco.com versus on Goodrx.com
Can patients who have Medicare Part D use GoodRx coupons or CostPlusDrugs.com?
Medications from Canadian pharmacies?
Using a Canadian pharmacy can reduce the cost of some medications
Formulations of medications
Formulations of medications—General articles
Abbreviations for controlled-release formulations are out of control!
Antidepressants: What are the alternatives to the oral route?
Formulations of medications—Capsules
Do sustained-release preparations have fewer adverse effects?
Extended-release preparations of psychotropic medications
Can extended-release capsules be opened?
When a patient has difficulty getting off venlafaxine
How can duloxetine be tapered very slowly?
Two patients for whom opening medication capsules was helpful
Formulations of medications—Tablets
Are bupropion SR and bupropion ER the same thing?
Why, when, and how to split medication tablets
Recommended pill cutters and pill crushers
Which tablets are actually extended-release formulations and so should not be cut?
What if patients report seeing intact pills in their stools?
Formulations of medications—Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs)
Orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) can be useful
Tips on using clonazepam orally disintegrating tablets (ODT)
Formulations of medications—Sublingual
Psychotropic medications are sometimes given sublingually
Formulations of medications—Liquids
Which antidepressants come in liquid forms?
Inactive Ingredients (Excipients) in Medications
Gluten in medications
Can lactose in medication pills cause intolerance?
How to find out whether a medication contains ingredients of animal origin
Generic medications
Are generic medications really equivalent to brand-name medications?
Generic and “authorized generic” medications
Which manufacturers of generic versions of psychotropic medications are better or worse?
Which generics of Concerta® (methylphenidate extended-release) to recommend
Is generic bupropion as effective as brand-name Wellbutrin®?
Can generic dextromethorphan and bupropion be used instead of the brand-name combination?
A generic alternative to naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave®)?
Laws and Regulations About Medications
Laws about prescriptions for psychostimulants
Can I take my medication with me when I travel to another country?
What patients taking a stimulant medication must know before visiting Japan
Off-Label Prescribing
We prescribe “off-label” more often than we think
Important! Off-label prescribing is of many different types
Off-label prescribing: Clinical recommendations
Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics
Which medications are mostly excreted unchanged, and why is this important?
Some medications have a low “therapeutic index”. What exactly is that?
Psychiatric medications with a long half-life
ABCB1 polymorphisms and psychotropic medications
Why is dextromethorphan combined with a CYP 2D6 inhibitor?
What does the Ki (inhibition constant) for a drug mean?
A simple guide to serotonin receptors
Dopamine receptors: A primer for clinicians
Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and weight gain
Miscellaneous articles
What to do about old prescriptions
Short answers to questions from our Members
Can persons on psychotropic medications donate blood?
What do the es-, the levo-, and the dex- mean in drug names?
Flibanserin (Addyi®)
Milnacipran (Savella®): Basic Information
What happened with my patient when she couldn’t swallow pills
Sometimes, a medication may be given rectally
What to do about psychiatric medications during the month of Ramadan
Also see:
– Side Effects (Main Menu)
– Drug Interactions (Main Menu)
Copyright © 2018 to 2026, Simple and Practical Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved. The content on this website may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.
Disclaimer: The material on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended for patients or other laypersons, nor is it a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most up-to-date information.
What articles do you have on treatments for perimenopausal mood and vasomotor symptoms?
Specifically I am looking for article on SSRIs and SNRIs and other non-hormonal options.
Many thanks
I went to our Main Menu for “Disorders/ Conditions” and, in that Menu, to the category of “Women’s mental health”. It showed that we have the following two articles about perimenopausal symptoms and their treatment:
Tips on managing perimenopausal symptoms
Adjunctive estrogen for perimenopausal depression?