Product Description

Since 1975, Robert Julien's A Primer of Drug Action has been the definitive guide to the effects of psychoactive drugs on the brain and on behavior. Now fully updated, this popular guide continues to lead the way through a rapidly changing field, providing readers with a clear, contemporary, and objective look at every drug and medication that either positively or adversely affects brain function. This edition includes important new information on -Herbal medications -Drug therapy for behavioral and anxiety disorders -Clinical practice guidelines for treating psychological disorders -Depression and the action of antidepressant drugs -The use of newer anticonvulsants in the treatment of bipolar disorder, pain syndromes, and behavioral disorders -Drug therapy for children, adolescents and the elderly -"New generation" antipsychotic agents Authoritative, comprehensive, and suitable for those with little background in biology, A Primer of Drug Action is an indispensable source of information for anyone interested in drug use, abuse, and education. Robert M. Julien, M.D., Ph.D. , is staff anesthesiologist at St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. Since 1975, Robert Julien's A Primer of Drug Action has been the definitive guide to the effects of psychoactive drugs on the brain and on behavior. Now fully updated in a ninth edition, this popular guide continues to lead the way through a rapidly changing field, providing readers with a clear, contemporary, and objective look at every drug and medication that either positively or adversely affects brain function. This edition includes important new information on: * Herbal medications * Drug therapy for behavioral and anxiety disorders * Clinical practice guidelines for treating psychological disorders * Depression and the action of antidepressant drugs * The use of newer anticonvulsants in the treatment of bipolar disorder, pain syndromes, and behavioral disorders * Drug therapy for children, adolescents and the elderly * "New generation" antipsychotic agents Authoritative, comprehensive, and suitable for those with little background in biology, A Primer of Drug Action is an indispensable source of information for anyone interested in drug use, abuse, and education. "A complete, unbiased, and professional review of psychoactive drugs."— American Journal of Psychiatry "A concise, easily readable guide to actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs . . . This book covers general principles of each class of psychoactive drugs and specific information about each drug within that class. It looks at mechanisms of action, theories about etiologies of major psychological disorders and rationale for drug treatment, and uses and limitations of psychopharmacology. It also includes basic explanations of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Drugs of compulsive use are emphasized. Each of the 20 chapters examines current and future directions in drug research (including drugs not yet available for clinical use). An interesting new chapter on herbal medications has been added. A brief glossary is included. This is a bold attempt to capture the explosion of knowledge about psychoactive substances . . . This is a good, comprehensive review that has organized and presented a massive amount of often disparate information into a comprehensible, easy to use book."— Nancy Schell, MD (Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center), Doody Review Services "Since the primer's first edition 20 years ago, much has been learned about psychoactive drugs, their use in the treatment of mental disorders, and their potential for misuse. Chapters cover principles of drug action, properties of specific drugs, pharmacotherapy for various disorders, and societal issues. The primer's goal is to present information in clear language, free of jargon, for students and general readers, though scholarly syntax is the norm throughout."— Book News "This in-depth survey of the effects of psychoactive drugs on the brain and behavior includes an expanded discussion of drug action and new discoveries in psychopharmacology since 1975. Surprisingly simple language lend insights to details on the actions, uses and side effects of these drugs. A valuable . . . reference addition."— Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #363665 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03-14
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 512 pages

Review

Book Info
St. Vincent and Medical Center, Portland, OR. Current, objective introduction to the pharmacology of drugs that effect the mind and behavior. All 20 chapters have been rewritten and include current and future directions in drug research. Previous edition: c1998. Softcover.

About the Author

Customer Reviews

Better than a $100 psychopharmacology text
I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in getting real facts about psychoactive drugs. Don't be fooled by the low price or the fact that it is "nontechnical." (All that means is that psychiatrists can read it without digging though their biochem notes!)

This is a real medical-grade book that gives a very complete and easy-to-understand introduction to the drugs used to treat psychiatric disorders.

Don't waste time with popular books that either claim psychoactive drugs will solve all our problems, or alternately, that they are useless brain-damaging poisons.

*A Primer...* is the most honest, readable introduction to the psychotherapeutics I know of. It is essential reading for the informed patient or caregiver.

An accessible balanced approach to drug action
This is the third edition of this book that I own. As a dual diagnosis counselor I have found this book to be an invaluable resource. The psychopharmacology of both drugs of abuse and mental health medications are explained in a detailed manner that is very accessible. I find it a valuable resource in helping me educate clients about drug action.

Loan this book to colleagues . . . never see it again
First, I divulge a long-time professional relationship with the author. In the years when I served as Director of Training in a large community mental health center, I contracted with Dr. Julien to provide In-service training to our staff of over 350.
His sessions always filled our training room and received positive evaluations from both persons with medical training and our case manager/counselors.

I focus my review on two portions of the book's sub-title. 1)Non-technical and 2) Revised and Updated.

Robert Julien writes as he speaks. He demystifies the vast information in this field and clarifies it. However, for the reader who wants in-depth information about the topics, there are treasures to be found. Your "aha !" and "ohhhh" buttons will be pushed constantly.

I appreciate the conscientious way Dr. Julien and his publisher have kept the book "revised and updated." There are so many research findings being reported all the time. New medications come on line. This makes many excellent (and expensive) books obsolete within a couple of years. "A Primer of Drug Action" remains current and useful.

But seriously, they sometimes are slow in being returned. I buy them two at a time.