Drugs used to Treat Antipsychotic-Induced Weight-Gain (Mnemonic) The following mnemonic is for the drugs used to treat antipsychotic-induced weight gain. The list is not based on priority; however, metformin is the preferred choice, especially when there is comorbid polycystic ovary disease. Orlistat, with calorie restriction, is also an effective choice. FORMAT-B F luoxetine  Orlistat Reboxetine Metformin, methylcellulose, melatonin Topiramate Bupropion 

Summary of NICE Guidance for First-Episode Schizophrenia > A complete assessment is mandatory before starting treatment For people with first-episode psychosis offer: ●        oral antipsychotic medication with ●        psychological interventions (family intervention and individual CBT.) Advise people who want to try psychological interventions alone that these therapies are more effective when delivered with antipsychotic medication. If the person still wants to try psychological interventions alone: offer family intervention and CBT agree a time (1 month or less) to review treatment options, including introducing antipsychotic medication     continue to monitor symptoms, distress, impairment, and level of functioning (including education, training, and employment) regularly. It is also mandatory to assess and monitor the physical health of the patients before commencing antipsychotics and during tr...

Pharmacological Treatment Algorithm for Treatment-Refractory Depression These recommendations are based on the Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines 2018, according to which, depression is treatment refractory when it does not respond to sequential trials of three different antidepressants as recommended in their algorithms.  In the first three steps below, we have enlisted the recommended pharmacological treatment options for an episode of depression. subsequently, we list the options for treatment-refractory depression. Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines focus on the pharmacological treatment options and algorithms, never nevertheless, they acknowledge the important role of non-pharmacological interventions in its treatment and recommend considering one of the appropriate options like cognitive behaviour therapy and/or behavioural activation and other factors identified as being responsible for resistance. Step 1: Recommend an SSRI or mirtazapine. monitor for signs and effects for 3- to...

Treatment Guidelines for Panic Disorder Drug of choice SSRIs Sertraline is recommended first-line per NICE Stepped Care Model Second-line MAOIs, Mirtazapine, Imipramine, Clomipramine, Venlafaxine Experimental Gabapentin, Inositol, Pindolol as augmentation Psychotherapy      CBT, Anxiety management

Psychotherapy      Reassurance Self-help and psychoeducation à Pure self-help, guided self-help, group psychoeducation Relaxation therapy à applied relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing exercises Cognitive behavior therapy Exercise Pharmacotherapies Indications of pharmacotherapy While on psychotherapy, short-term Psychotherapy ineffective, Psychotherapies not available First-line         Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors à These and SNRIs may initially exacerbate symptoms; a lower starting dose is often required.   Fluoxetine and sertraline are preferred options.   Sertraline is the most tolerable and cost effective, recommended as first choice by NICE. Fluoxetine is most effective choice. Effexor (venlafaxine) SR up to 225 mg/day Dulan/Duron (duloxetine) up to 60 mg/day pregabalin 150–600 mg/day Second-line choices       ...

Treatment of Guidelines for Psychotic Depression First-line        Tricyclic with olanzapine or quetiapine Second choice         SSRI/SNRI Consider Electroconvulsive therapy           

Treatment of Refractory Depression When depression does not improve with three sequential trials of antidepressants, we call it treatment-refractory depression. the following is the list of choices for treatment-refractory depression.  First-line Treatment Options Bupropion 400 mg/d + SSRI Olanzapine + fluoxetine 25/50 mg/d Venlafaxine + mirtazapine 30-45 mg/d Add lithium, aim up to 1.0 mmol/L concentration.  Add aripiprazole 2-20 mg/d Add quetiapine 150-300 mg/d  Second-line Choices Ketamine-IV (0.5 mg/kg IV over 40 minutes),   à rapidly effective, by the anesthetist High-dose venlafaxine à 200 mg/d,    à NICE recommended, monitor BP Electroconvulsive therapy à effective, stigmatized Add risperidone 0.5-3 mg/d,   à weak evidence, hypotension Add Triiodothyronine 20–50 μ g/d, à reasonable evidence, monitor TFTs Lamotrigine, 100, 200, 400 mg/d, à best tolerated, risk of rash SSRI+ buspirone 60 mg...

Guidelines for the Pharmacotherapy of Major Depressive Disorder I have summarised the following recommendations from the Maudsley prescribing guidelines in Psychiatry, 13th Ed. Psychotherapies Supportive psychotherapy, CBT, interpersonal therapy, marital/couple therapy, dynamic psychotherapy, behavioral activation Depressive episode Step-1 SRI/ Mirtazapine à A generic SRI; use mirtazapine if sleep needed Step-2 SSRI/non-SRI   à Most evidence is for a switch to vortioxetine Step 3 Mirtazapine, vortioxetine, agomelatine   à if not already trialed

WHO 2012 Guidelines to treat Alcohol Withdrawal Clinicians should advise supported withdrawal in patients before beginning treatment. The World Health Organization recommends benzodiazepines as front-line medication for the management of alcohol withdrawal.  Long-acting benzodiazepines are superior to shorter-acting ones, except in cases of impaired hepatic metabolism.  Clinicians should determine the dose and duration individually.  The duration of benzodiazepine treatment should be 3 to 7 days. Clinicians should not use antipsychotic medications as stand-alone medications for the management of alcohol withdrawal.  Advise Benzodiazepines , and not anticonvulsants, following an alcohol withdrawal seizure. Clinicians should dispense psychoactive medication in small doses.   Patients at risk of severe withdrawal, or who have concurrent serious physical or psychiatric disorders, or who lack adequate support, should preferably remain in an inpatient setting....

What interventions are safe and effective for the management of alcohol withdrawal, including treatment for alcohol withdrawal seizures and prevention and treatment for acute Wernicke's encephalopathy? Alcohol withdrawal can be uncomfortable and occasionally life-threatening. Pharmacological management of alcohol withdrawal is an essential component of alcohol dependence. Benzodiazepines (BZDs), non-sedating anticonvulsants, and antipsychotics are commonly used in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal.  Given that they are all potentially toxic medications, what is the evidence that the benefits of their use justify the risks? Which is more effective? Below, I summarize the  WHO 2012 Guidelines to treat Alcohol Withdrawal that explains the answers to these questions. 

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