College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists

Issues Currently in Development

June 2012 (Vol. 1, Iss. 12): Review of Annual Meeting

This issue's focus will be to summarize the events that took place in Phoenix. Photos and videos of CPNP members (new and old) will capture the excitement and camaraderie that is a hallmark of CPNP's Annual Meetings. Much of the content will be obtained from the Programming Committee.

July 2012 (Vol. 2, Iss. 1): What happened to lithium?

The evidence supporting the use of lithium in bipolar disorder, including bipolar depression will be reviewed. The monitoring requirements including a comprehensive workup and rational will be presented. Suggested dosing and titration will be presented. The role of lithium in the complex pharmacotherapy landscape of 2011 will be explored.

August 2012 (Vol. 2, Iss. 2): The Shakedown on Parkinson's Disease

This issue will review current guidelines for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease (PD) and explore emerging therapies. The role of deep brain stimulation as a treatment modality will be evaluated. Additionally, because dementia with Lewy bodies is closely related to PD, current treatments will be discussed. To display clinical practice, a case will be presented with emphasis on pharmacotherapy for PD.

September 2012 (Vol. 2, Iss. 3): Use of Psychotropic Agents in Mental Retardation

This issue will focus on the use of psychotropic medications used in the management of patients with mental retardation or developmental disorders. Case reports and innovative practices will be used to highlight the potential roles of medication therapy for this patient population. Additionally, a toolbox containing FDA-approved agents for mental retardation or developmental disorders may be developed.

October 2012 (Vol. 2, Iss. 4): Education of the patient with Neurologic or Psychiatric Disease

In celebration of American Pharmacists’ Month, this issue will discuss the contributions that pharmacists make to the care of psychiatric and neurologic patients by educating them. It will review evidence-based approaches to improving patient medication knowledge and outcomes and will discuss best-practices. It will come complete with a toolbox full of resources applicable to educating patients with psychiatric and/or neurologic disease.

November 2012 (Vol. 2, Iss. 5): Epilepsy and Seizure disorders and their treatment

This issue will focus on treatment of seizure disorders with an emphasis on current evidence. A review of newly FDA approved medications to treat seizures will be included. In addition, case descriptions, innovative practices, and a toolbox guide to anticonvulsant agents will be incorporated.

December 2012 (Vol. 2, Iss. 6): The Year in Review: Pivotal Articles of the Year and an Update on Newer Psychotropic Agents

This issue will review key articles published in 2012 with a focus on psychiatric and neurologic pharmacy. Psychotropic agents brought to market over the past year will also be highlighted.

January 2013 (Vol. 2, Iss. 7): Surviving Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Understanding the epidemic of combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder will be the focus of January’s issue of the Mental Health Clinician. A review of the epidemiology and co-morbidity of PTSD will be included, as well as a discussion regarding the link to suicidality with PTSD. This issue will also include evaluations of the current evidence available for the treatment and prevention of PTSD. The issue will incorporate an exploration of the treatment of PTSD-related nightmares with prazosin.

Long-Term Theme Plans (Subject to Change)

What to try next? Treatment of Refractory Depression and Anxiety Disorders

This issue will focus on the current evidence and trends in the treatment of refractory depression and anxiety disorders. Review of the current literature, case descriptions, and the medical home model of treatment of these illnesses will be discussed.

Treatment of the pregnant patient with psychiatric or neurologic illness

This issue, published during International Women’s Month, will focus on the treatment of psychiatric and neurologic disease during pregnancy. It will include several case reports with literature review discussing pros and cons of use of psychotropic agents in the context of pregnancy. It will also contain a toolbox regarding obtaining and discussing informed consent where medication is involved in pregnancy. This issue will also report the results of a poll regarding psychiatric and neurologic pharmacists’ confidence in making recommendations for treatment of psychiatric and neurologic disease in a patient who is pregnant.

Psychiatric Curriculum Across Pharmacy Programs

This issue will poll Pharmacy programs all over the world looking to see how much of their curriculum is devoted to Psychiatric/Neurologic pharmacy. This issue will explore innovative teaching methods regarding psychiatric/neurologic topics, and novel elective courses some institutions may be offering. Examples of creative psychiatric/neurologic APPE practice sites will also be explored.

Use of psychotropics in those with HIV

This issue will focus on evidence available for treating patients who have HIV co-morbid with mental illness. Evidence will be presented regarding psychotropic medications studied in those with HIV and drug interactions to avoid. This issue will include a case discussion, patient education and treatment pearls, and innovative practices.

Review of Annual Meeting

This issue's focus will be to summarize the events that took place in Phoenix. Photos and videos of CPNP members (new and old) will capture the excitement and camaraderie that is a hallmark of CPNP's Annual Meetings.

Exploring the use of Long-Acting Antipsychotics

This issue will review practical information on the use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics including but not limited to dosing, pharmacokinetics, and side effect profiles of these agents. The effect of the long-acting injectable formulation on medication adherence will be explored and pharmacist-run depot antipsychotic clinics will be described.