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Pharmacotherapy

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According to the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP), psychopharmacology is the study of the use of medications in treating mental disorders.  The complexity of this field requires continuous study in order to keep current with new advances.  Psychopharmacologists need to understand all the clinically relevant principles of pharmacokinetics (what the body does to medication) and pharmacodynamics (what the medications do to the body).  This includes an understanding of the following.


  • Protein binding (how available the medication is to the body)

  • Half-life (how long the medication stays in the body)

  • Polymorphic genes (genes which vary widely from person to person)

  • Drug-to-drug interactions (how medications affect one another)


Since the use of these medications is to treat mental disorders, an extensive understanding of basic neuroscience, basic psychopharmacology, clinical medicine, the differential diagnosis of mental disorders, and treatment options is required.  Psychopharmacologists also must be skilled in building and utilizing a therapeutic alliance with the patient.  In a generic sense, any Nurse Practitioner or Doctor who treats patients with psychotropic medication is a psychopharmacologist.

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THE CONTENT OF THE SITE IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE, MEDICAL ADVICE. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO CREATE, AND RECEIPT OF IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE, A PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. THE CONTENT IS NOT INTENDED FOR USE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL CONDITION OR AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR A CONSULTATION WITH A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. THE CONTENT SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE; IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE; AND DOES NOT COVER ALL DISEASES, AILMENTS, PHYSICAL CONDITIONS, OR THEIR DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT. THE CONTENT SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PLACE OF A VISIT, CALL OR CONSULTATION WITH, AND THE ADVICE OF, YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH CARE-RELATED QUESTIONS, CALL OR SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PROMPTLY. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST BEFORE TAKING ANY PRESCRIPTION OR OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS, INCLUDING ANY HERBAL MEDICINES OR SUPPLEMENTS. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT, BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE READ ON THE SITE.

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