Jeffrey Lieberman is the head of the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University.  He is a leading psychiatric drug researcher with excellent clinical, academic and publishing credentials. Allan Tasman Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of  Louisville, USA and Past President of the APA.  He is President Elect, Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists and active in the WPA.

• Preface. Acknowledgements.Disclaimer.1 Antipsychotic Drugs.Introduction.Pharmacology.Chemistry.Mechanism of Action.Pharmacokinetics.Indications for Use of Antipsychotic Drugs.Drug Selection and Initiation of Treatment.Drug Selection for the Treatment of Schizophrenia.Effects of Antipsychotic Agents on Symptoms of Schizophrenia.Drug Selection for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder.Drug Selection for the Treatment of Major Depression With Psychotic Features.Drug Selection for the Treatment of Delusional Disorder.Drug Selection for the Treatment of Delirium.Drug Selection for the Treatment of Psychosis and Agitation Associated with Dementia.Drug Selection for the Treatment of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disorders.Drug Selection for Huntington’s Disease and Tourette’s Disorder.Substance-induced Psychoses.Adverse Effects of Antipsychotics.Acute Extrapyramidal Side Effects (Dystonia, Parkinsonism, Akathisia).Tardive Dyskinesia and Other Tardive Syndromes.Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome.Endocrine and Sexual Effects.Metabolic Effects.Cardiovascular Effects.Gastrointestinal Effects.Hepatic Effects.Hematological Effects.Other Side Effects.Drug Interactions and Antipsychotic Agents.Antipsychotic Medications and Pregnancy.Additional Reading.2 Antidepressants.Introduction.Pharmacology.Mechanisms of Action.Pharmacokinetics.Indications for Use of Antidepressants.Panic Disorder (PD).Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD).Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).Social Phobias and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).Bulimia.Anorexia Nervosa.Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).Premenstrual Dysphoria (PMDD).Childhood Disorders.Other Psychiatric Disorders.Other Medical Conditions.Drug Selection and Initiation of Treatment for Major Depression.Special Considerations in the Selection of an Antidepressant.Initiation of Treatment.Therapeutic Drug Monitoring.Early, or Pre-response, Period.Response, or Acute Treatment, Period.Treatment of Partially Responsive and Nonresponsive Patients.Antidepressant Augmentation.Changing to a New Agent.Continuation and Maintenance Periods, and Discontinuation.Side Effects.Anticholinergic Effects.Autonomic Effects.Neurologic Effects.Weight Gain.Gastrointestinal Symptoms.Sexual Dysfunction.Cardiac Conduction.Suicide Risk.Allergic and Hematologic Effects.Other Effects.Central Serotonergic Syndrome.Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.Drug Interactions.Tricyclic Antidepressants.Pharmacokinetic Effects.Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors.Other Second-Generation Antidepressants.Third-Generation Antidepressants.Summary.Recommendations for the Use of Antidepressants.Additional Reading.3 Mood Stabilizers.Introduction.Pharmacology.Chemistry.Mechanism of Action.Pharmacokinetics.Indications.Drug Selection and Initiation of Treatment.Acute Mania.Drug Selection.Relative Efficacy of Different Agents.Treatment Initiation and Dose Titration.Acute Depression.Drug Selection.Treatment Initiation and Dose Titration.Breakthrough Episodes.Maintenance.Rapid Cycling.Costs.Adverse Effects.Drug Interactions.Pregnancy.Summary.Additional Reading.4 Anxiolytic Drugs.Introduction.A General Approach to Using Medication with Anxious Patients.Pharmacology.Antidepressants.Benzodiazepines.Buspirone.Beta-Blocker Medications.Anticonvulsants.Antipsychotics.Indications for Use.Antidepressants.Benzodiazepines.Buspirone.Beta-blocker Medications.Anticonvulsants.Antipsychotics.Augmentation/Adjuvant Treatments.Drug Selection, Dose, and Initiation of Treatment.Side Effects.Drug Interactions.Contraindications and Special Precautions.Summary.Additional Reading.5 Sedative–Hypnotic Agents.Introduction.Diagnosis.Treatment Options.Non-prescription Agents.Prescription Medications.Pharmacology.Benzodiazepines.Chloral Hydrate.Zolpidem.Zaleplon.Eszopiclone.Ramelteon.Drug Selection.Other Prescription Hypnotics.Treatment Implementation.Adverse Effects.Benzodiazepines.Chloral Hydrate.Zolpidem.Zaleplon.Eszopiclone.Ramelteon.Drug Interactions and Special Precautions.Summary.Additional Reading.6 Psychostimulants.Introduction.Pharmacology.Chemistry.Mechanism of Action.Pharmacokinetics.Indications and Contraindications.Drug Selection.Treatment Initiation and Dose Titration.Treatment Evaluation.Maintenance Treatment.Treatment Resistance.Effects of Treatment on Symptoms.ADHD in Adults.Alternative Preparations to the Standard Stimulant Medications.Narcolepsy.Other Indications.Costs.Adverse Effects.Drug Interactions.Summary.Additional Reading.7 Cognitive Enhancers and Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease.Introduction.Pharmacology.Mechanism of Action.Pharmacokinetics.Indications.Drug Selection.Treatment Initiation.Maintenance Treatment.Treatment Evaluation.Adverse Effects.Cholinesterase Inhibitors.Drug Interactions.Summary.Additional Reading.8 Drugs for Treating Substance Abuse Disorders.Introduction.Syndromes Associated with Intoxication.Alcohol Intoxication.Sedative–Hypnotic Intoxication.Opiate Intoxication.Cocaine and Amphetamine Intoxication.Intoxication by LSD, Mescaline, MDMA (‘Ecstasy’), and Psilocybin.Phencyclidine Intoxication.Drug Treatment of Withdrawal Syndromes.Alcohol Withdrawal.Withdrawal from Sedative–Hypnotics.Withdrawal from Opiates.Management of Withdrawal in Patients with Multiple Dependencies.Agents to Aid Relapse Prevention.Medications for Alcohol Dependence.Medications for Cocaine Dependence.Medications for Opiate Dependence.Special Considerations.Drug Treatments for Nicotine Dependence.Pharmacotherapies for Substance Abusers with Additional Psychiatric Illness.Pharmacotherapy for Specific Psychiatric Disorders.Drug Interactions in Chemical Dependency.Additional Reading.Index.

"...an excellent little book...small enough that busy clinicians can easily read it cover to cover." (Psychiatric Times, June 2007) "…a basic guide to drugs used to treat mental disorders…at a reasonable cost and in a handy format." (American Reference Books Annual, March 2007)"…a welcome addition…well-written, easy to use, and thorough in its coverage…psychiatry residents as well as practicing clinicians will find this a useful, quick referral source." (Doody's Health Services)