The first edition of Seminars in Clinical Psychopharmacology received much published praise; the second edition deserves more. Professor David King once again brings us an outstanding and up-to-date reference text for the practising psychiatrist, mental health professional or researcher.
The authors of the individual chapters are experts in their respective fields. The organisation of this book is excellent. Part 1 covers the general principles of psychopharmacology and includes pharmacogenomics, pharmacogenetics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, with an excellent chapter on clinical principles underlying drug treatment in psychiatric practice. Part 2 covers pharmacology of the main psychotropic drugs. Part 3 covers special therapeutic areas, including psychopharmacology across the life span, drugs of misuse, personality disorders and sexual function. The last two chapters by J. Guy Edwards deserve special note. Both cover the unwanted effects of psychotropic drugs; the first the effects on human physiological systems, their mechanisms and methods of assessment and the second drug interactions, effects during pregnancy and breast-feeding, pharmaco-vigilance and medico-legal considerations.
The book provides a balanced and simple approach to complex drug treatments in psychiatry with the provision of appropriate evidence throughout. It is an excellent refresher for any practising psychiatrist and mental health professional wishing to keep abreast of new developments and offers a single compact resource in psychopharmacology for trainees preparing for the MRCPsych examinations. It should be available on the shelves of any library serving mental health professionals.
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