The essential reference for anyone responsible for prescribing drugs for patients with mental health disorders. Widely and regularly used: the place to check for all relevant information on which drugs to prescribe, which side effects to look out for, how best to augment or switch drugs, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anxiolytics.

The book provides brief but detailed reviews of psychiatric disorders and relevant psychopharmacology, with general guidance based on the data reviewed and current clinical practice. Sections cover plasma monitoring, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, children and adolescents, substance abuse and special patient groups. Each section has a full reference list so that the evidence base can be checked quickly, if required.

The book covers prescribing drugs outside their licensed indications and their interaction with substances such as alcohol, nicotine and caffeine.

Trainees will gain important information regarding the rational, safe and effective use of medications for patients with mental illness. Experienced clinicians will find excellent guidance regarding more complex issues that they may not encounter regularly.