Essential Psychopharmacology

Essential Psychopharmacology: The Prescriber's Guide, by Stephen M. Stahl, New York, NY, Cambridge University Press, 2005, 571 pp., $50 paperback. "This book is a must for anybody prescribing psychotropic medications." I know that the reader has read the first half of the sentence many times. However, I do not say so lightly and it is a must. Each medication is listed in alphabetical order by generic name. If one knows only the trade name, the index lists every one by trade name. For each generic medication, Stahl has headings for therapeutics, side effects, dosing and use, special populations, the art of psychopharmacology and suggested additional reading. Of primary interest to readers of the Journal is that children and adolescents are one of the special populations described for each medication and Stahl states both what the FDA has to stay and what common off label usages are. There is also an informative index of indications. I have not read the book from cover to cover, however, it sits by my desk and I refer to it frequently. My only quibble so far is that Stahl neglected to include guanfacine. As new medications are added to our psychopharmacopeia, I am sure that there will be future editions. Daniel Naussbaum, II, M.D., F.A.A.P. New Bedford, MA