psychopharmacology textbook or reference

[PsyYaYaYaYai]

Intern looking for a psychopharmacology book. Did a search on SDN, couldn't quite find my answer.

Recently bought the Stahl psychopharmacology 5th edition, but was hoping for something that had a little bit more about neurotransmitters, binding profiles, etc. The 5th edition is listed as the "prescribers guide," but I'm not sure how different it is from the Stahl 4th edition?

Does any one have any suggestions? Looking for a good combination of the clinical and basic science aspects of it all.

Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Amygdarya]

Recently bought the Stahl psychopharmacology 5th edition, but was hoping for something that had a little bit more about neurotransmitters, binding profiles, etc. The 5th edition is listed as the "prescribers guide," but I'm not sure how different it is from the Stahl 4th edition?

!

It seems like what you're looking for (and what has been referred as "Stahl" on this forum) is Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications, now in fourth edition. Prescriber's Guide, now in fifth edition, is an entirely different book. You can use the Amazon "Look inside" function to compare the books.
But I can see how the book titles may be confusing.

 

[PsyYaYaYaYai]

Thanks! I just am hoping to get to a point where I can say "I chose xyz because it has increased binding affinity at this obscure receptor and it's activity at this other receptor you think it doesn't relate to" like my attendings do 😛

 

[Amygdarya]

Thanks! I just am hoping to get to a point where I can say "I chose xyz because it has increased binding affinity at this obscure receptor and it's activity at this other receptor you think it doesn't relate to" like my attendings do 😛

Well, I guess that takes time to learn, just as many other things attendings can do 🙂

 

[hamstergang]

Thanks! I just am hoping to get to a point where I can say "I chose xyz because it has increased binding affinity at this obscure receptor and it's activity at this other receptor you think it doesn't relate to" like my attendings do 😛

It's fun to say, but is it ever clinically meaningful?

 

[PsyYaYaYaYai]

It's fun to say, but is it ever clinically meaningful?

Fact. I guess I just want to refresh on some of the basic science principles behind the medications I'm prescribing...although our understanding is also continually evolving ::

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Fact. I guess I just want to refresh on some of the basic science principles behind the medications I'm prescribing...although our understanding is also continually evolving ::

Great question and a worthwhile pursuit, but you most likely will have to pick through journal articles across a number of different areas. You can probably start with some consensus papers and dig from there, though in some cases the underlying science may not be easily found. You might also want to check out the STAR*D trial and look through their references for further reading.

 

[splik]

Great question and a worthwhile pursuit, but you most likely will have to pick through journal articles across a number of different areas. You can probably start with some consensus papers and dig from there, though in some cases the underlying science may not be easily found. You might also want to check out the STAR*D trial and look through their references for further reading.

no, a book is the place to start. reading journal articles is not going to be helpful (or high-yield) here

OP, the stahl book is a good place to start (as long as you take it with a pinch of salt). the other books you might consider as references are Nestler's Molecular Neuropharmacology and Schatzberg's APP textbook of clinical psychopharmacology

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Stahl is great and there are a few good options…but he doesn't often explain the why very much, he'll just include, "try A+B if you don't get a response with just A". I'm not sure I have his updated versions, but I know his Prescriber's Guide is light on explanations. His writing style is very accessible, which is nice. Nestler's is much better for nitty gritty explanations, but it is lighter on direct clinical application. IIRC the clinical section is sorted by disorder, so that helps; it's a nice resource to be sure. I haven't read Schatzberg, but I'll add that to my reading list. The reason I recommended journal articles is it may be easier to read up on specific meds, as formularies can be pretty restrictive…depending on the setting.

 

[HarryMTieboutMD]

It's well known that Stahl's is filled with handwaving and conjecture stated as fact, but it's way more entertaining than Nemeroff/Schatzberg (which has its own COI issues)

 

[WisNeuro]

Reading the textbook will tell you why these things should work. Reading the research will tell you that they usually don't work 🙂

 

[Arakel72]

no, a book is the place to start. reading journal articles is not going to be helpful (or high-yield) here

OP, the stahl book is a good place to start (as long as you take it with a pinch of salt). the other books you might consider as references are Nestler's Molecular Neuropharmacology and Schatzberg's APP textbook of clinical psychopharmacology

Hi there,

Looking for resources for an attending re: clinical psychopharm for treating complicated cases. Any suggestions? Or do you consider those above to be your go to references? I don't need easy reading. I'd like to read something up to the task of the truly complicated patient.

Thanks AraKel

 

[Monkey House]

Stahl smartphone app is the best. Its always with you when you need it. The book is too much to take around everywhere.