Synopses & Reviews
A Primer of Drug Action addresses the mechanisms of action of each drug and drug class presented, current theories about the etiology of major psychological disorders and rationales for drug treatment, and the uses and limitations of psychopharmacology in patient care. Now in its Tenth Edition, this definitive guide has been completely revised and updated to again make it the most current and comprehensive introduction to the pharmacology of drugs that affect the mind and behavior.
Table of Contents
Part 1. Introduction to Psychopharmacology: How Drugs Interact with the Body and the Brain 1. Pharmacokinetics: How Drugs Are Handled by the Brain
2. Pharmacodynamics: How Drugs Act
3. The Neuron, Synaptic Transmission, and Neurotransmitters
Part 2. Drugs That Depress Brain Function: Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs
4. Ethyl Alcohol and the Inhalants of Abuse
5. Barbiturates, Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), General Anesthetics, and Anticonvulsants
6. Benzodiazepines and Second-Generation Anxiolytics
Part 3 Drugs That Stimulate Brain Function: Psychostimulants
7. Cocaine and the Amphetamines
8. Caffeine and Nicotine
Part 4. Drugs That Are Used to Treat Psychological Disorders
9. Antidepressant Drugs
10. Drugs Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder (Mood Stabilizers)
11. Antipsychotic Drugs
12. Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
13. Geriatric Psychopharmacology: Drugs for Parkinsonism and Alzheimer's Disease
Part 5. Special Topics in Psychotherapeutics
14. Nonnarcotic, Anti-inflammatory Analgesics
15. Opioid Analgesics
16. Herbal Medicines Used in the Treatment of Psychological Disorders
17. Integration of Drugs and Psychological Therapies in Treating Mental and Behavior Disorders
Part 6. Agents Primarily Considered as Drugs of Abuse
18. Tetrahydrocannabinol
19. Psychedelic Drugs: Mescaline, Ecstasy, LSD, and Other Hallocinogens
20. Anabolic Steroids
21. Topics in Drug Abuse