Possible Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Drug-Drug Interactions That Are Likely to Be Clinically Relevant and/or Frequent in Bipolar Disorder

This article should provide clinicians with an understanding of how polypharmacy can contribute to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug-drug interactions (DDIs).Recent FindingsThe pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of lithium and other mood stabilizers (valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and eslicarbazepine), antipsychotics, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were reviewed and summarized in the first four tables describing their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mechanisms.SummaryFour tables summarized the DDIs which are likely to be clinically relevant in adults with bipolar disorder: two for mania treatments (with and without carbamazepine), one for maintenance treatments, and one for depression treatments. The purpose is to be practical, helping clinicians pay attention to and manage polypharmacy, avoiding adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients with bipolar disorder, including both the frequent ADRs and those rare but potentially lethal ADRs. Future articles should improve these tables.

Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - March 12, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research