Book Review: Pharmacokinetics in Drug Discovery and Development

This is not a “handbook” in the traditional sense, as it is too large to be conveniently carried or placed into a pocket of a lab coat. However, it is a handbook in that it is a concise reference guide to psychotropic drugs. Handbooks or manuals of psychopharmacology attempt to be either easy to read or easy to ascertain information from; this handbook certainly falls into the latter category. The editors sought to produce a “very practical resource guide on the use of psychotropic drugs,” and they definitely accomplished their aim with this handbook. The handbook is comprehensive in its scope. Although there is a clear emphasis on the 4 major drug classes — antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and mood stabilizers — other drug classes that are covered include antiparkinsonian agents, hypnotics/sedatives, psychostimulants, cognition enhancers, sex-drive depressants (e.g., for sexual offenders), drugs used to treat substance use disorders, and herbal/natural products. Additional chapters include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), drugs of abuse (e.g., alcohol, hallucinogens, stimulants, opiates), unapproved treatments, and patient information sheets. It could be argued that the chapters covering ECT and drugs of abuse are incongruous with the remainder of the handbook, as ECT is not a psychotropic drug per se and drugs of abuse are not therapeutic agents. The patient information sheets, which sometimes relate to an individual drug and other times to a drug class, contain easily comprehensible instructions and advice on the use of the drug, how quickly the drug starts working, how long the drug should be taken, adverse effects, what should be done for missed doses, interactions with other medications, and precautions. As one would expect from a user-friendly reference guide, the handbook is clearly and consistently organized. Topics typically included under each drug class include product availability (e.g., dosage forms/strengths), indications, general comments, pharmacology, dosing, pharmacokinetics, onset and duration of action, adverse effects, withdrawal, precautions, contraindications, toxicity, pediatric considerations, geriatric considerations, use in pregnancy, nursing implications, patient instructions, monitoring recommendations, and drug interactions. Tables are abundantly used throughout the handbook, the most useful of which are those that compare various aspects of drugs within classes. Information presented in the handbook is current, relevant, complete, and accurate. The text and graphics are aesthetically pleasing, and there are very few typographical errors. Unfortunately, suggested readings per chapter notwithstanding, no references are provided for specific information presented in the handbook. This may be a nagging shortcoming for readers who occasionally desire direct primary source information. Overall, this handbook is a valuable, high-quality reference guide on psychotropic drugs. It is an ideal resource for the rapid and straightforward retrieval of essential clinical information about the ever-expanding and increasingly complex field of psychopharmacology. It compares quite favorably to other available handbooks or manuals of psychopharmacology, and its affordable price should make it a “must have” for those who work in mental health care, including psychiatrists, residents, pharmacists, and nurses.