Essential Psychopharmacology: the Prescriber's Guide (Essential Psychopharmacology Series) (Paperback)

~ Stephen M. Stahl (Author), Meghan M. Grady (Editor), Nancy Muntner (Illustrator) "Weight Gain: Degrees of weight gain associated with the drug, with unusual signifying that weight gain has been reported but is not expected; not unusual..." (more)
Key Phrases: cure since symptoms, dosing tips, primary target symptoms, Dosing Tips, Best Augmenting Combos, Dangerous Side Effects (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Although the Prescriber's Guide serves as a companion volume to Dr. Stahl's well-received didactic textbook titles Essential Psychopharmacology, it can stand alone as a useful reference for the clinician who needs to look up a medication quickly and review a summary of how to best prescribe it...instead of a laundry list, Dr. Stahl presents what the clinician ought to be looking for—this is not your father's PDR (Physician's Desk Reference)!...The book's major strength is its readability and user friendliness. The art of psychopharmacology is finally given the space it deserves."
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy

"Psychopharmacology has gotten a lot more fun with this new book by Dr. Stahl. This is a very useful and easy to read update that clinicians can use in daily practice. The book is written in a very practical, user-friendly format differentiating itself from other books in this category. It is an absolute must for anyone dealing with psychopharmacology."
Doody's Review ServiceG

"This guidebook is an excellent source of information for the art of prescribing psychotropic medications and belongs in every clinician's library."
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy

"I think that this manual has all the characteristics of a true bestseller. The format is very attractive, the information is complete, the consultation is easy."
ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA

"The format is very attractive, the information is complete, the consultation is easy. In no other recent text will a clinician find so much information in sch a concise and user-friendly format."
ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Mario Maj, Primo Policlinico Universitario

"In short, this book is a handy desktop guide to the use of psychotropic agents in clinical practice. It is well designed and achieves its objective. Stephen Stahl is a well-qualified and respected clinical investigator in psycho pharmacotherapy. The Guide's organization reflects his experience. The information that clinicians need in daily practice is easily accessed and presented clearly and succinctly. I recommend the Guide as an excellent and easy-to-read reference for practitioners who may be seeking an improved comfort zone with psychotropic drugs."
Canadian Psychiatric Association

"This is a great book, which satisfies all the criteria one would expect from a prescribing guide and more."
Quarterly Journal of Mental Health, Dr. Ciaran Corcoran

Product Description

Illustrated in full color throughout and including the now famous icons, this latest addition to the Essential Psychopharmacology collection presents pragmatic guidance to clinicians. Stephen Stahl includes all the information a prescriber needs to treat patients effectively by devoting four pages to each of the 100 psychotropic drugs he covers. The information comes in four categories for each drug: therapeutics, side effects, special populations, and tips and pearls. Therapeutics covers the brands of drug, class of drug, and how the drug works. Side effects covers the nature and significance of notable side effects. Special populations covers renal impairment, hepatic impairment, cardiac impairment, the elderly, children and adolescents, and women (childbearing, pregnancy, breast feeding, perimenopause, menopause). Tips and pearls covers best augmention/combining, potential advantages, potential disadvantages, pearls, dosing tips, and suggested reading. Each element has a target icon so the prescriber can easily and instantly access the information needed. A comprehensive index lists both generic and proprietary names for the featured drugs. Previous Edition Hb (2002): 0-521-64154-3 Previous Edition Pb (2002): 0-521-64615-4

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Product Details

• Paperback: 588 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521011698
• ISBN-13: 978-0521011693
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #657,873 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big and Bulky, but Worth it, November 18, 2005

By	My Uncle Stu (Boston) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Stahl and Stahl's "Essential Psychopharmacology" is the book to read, hopefully earlier than later, in Psychiatry residency to appreciate the science behind psychopharmacology, but the spin-off "Prescriber's Guide" is the book to use as a quick reference. And, owing to unfortunate realities of the health care system and medical training, a quick reference is often all there is time for. There are other reference books for psych drugs, most of which are smaller and more portable. However, the other guides tend to lump drugs into categories, with a chapter on the atypicals, for example, in which they discuss the drugs as a class and bounce around between drugs within the class for specific details. This may be helpful for learning purposes, but when you want information on a specific medication, Stahl and Stahl's presentation is much more helpful. I refer back to this book often, and particularly find it helpful when a patient comes in on a medication, from another prescriber, with which I am not too familiar. The information is presented in a very clear, well-ordered way, including standard graphic representations of receptor types and mechanisms involved and side effect profiles. Also helpful are tips on the art of prescribing, which are collected bits of practical wisdom from those more experienced.

This book won't fit in a white coat pocket, but it's worth it. 5 stars, I highly recommend it, buy it now. And, by the way, I would like to remind everyone that the left lane is for passing only. This applies to walking on the sidewalk as well as driving. Do not walk side by side with your friend right in the middle of the sidewalk if you are walking slower than people who seem to have someplace to go. Thank you for listening, nighty-night.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Won't leave home without it!, July 31, 2006

By	tatrn "psych np" (Janesville, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Psychopharmacology: The Prescriber's Guide: Revised and Updated Edition (Essential Psychopharmacology Series) (Paperback)

I am new at this prescribing thing and seem to have a whole lot more questions than I have answers... The Prescriber's Guide truly is "Essential" ... I have long been a fan of Stahl and his ability to make dry and difficult material come to life and thereby easier to understand ... even makes me laugh ... I can not say enough good things about this book- it offers a wealth of practical "real world" information about prescribing and answers "newbie" questions that typically beget the "you'll learn that with experience" answer. An absolute MUST HAVE for the novice prescriber- thank you Stephen Stahl!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another gem!, July 16, 2006

By	Michael G. Rayel, MD "Author, A 31-Day Series... (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Psychopharmacology: the Prescriber's Guide: Antipsychotics and Mood Stabilizers (Essential Psychopharmacology Series) (Paperback)

Another gem from Dr. Stahl! The format, illustrations, and simplified explanations are just amazing. No doubt, this book is an excellent resource for students, trainees, and practicing psychiatrists.