Psychopharmacology

Psychotropic medications play an important role in the treatment of mental illness. The nurse plays a pivotal role in medication administration and patient education. It is also important for the nurse to be aware of the potential side-effects and interactions of these drugs. Assisting the patient to understand the importance of taking psychotropic medication as prescribed and the issues surrounding compliance/adherence is an important skill for the mental health nurse. Polypharmacy is to be avoided where possible, especially the tendency to use drugs from different classes at the same time. Its use with older people is not advised. Issues related to as-needed (PRN) medication administration are of contemporary relevance. Nursing assessment and interventions related to psychopharmacological side-effects is important knowledge for the mental health nurse