Course Description
Clinical pearls are an important part of medical education when unique patient cases and/or clinical challenges are discussed. After a competitive submission process, the following clinical pearls were selected to be part of the AAPP 2026 session:
Lithium Toxicity Following GLP-1 RA Initiation: An Emerging Drug-Drug Interaction, presented by Katie Bye, PharmD
- Identify emerging evidence and clinical patterns of lithium toxicity associated with GLP-1 RA therapy.
- Describe pharmacist monitoring strategies to mitigate lithium toxicity risk during GLP-1 RA therapy.
As glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are increasingly prescribed, an emerging interaction with lithium remains poorly defined in current guidance. Clinical experience suggests that lithium concentrations may change following GLP-1 RA initiation or dose titration, even in the absence of acute kidney injury, dehydration, or significant gastrointestinal adverse effects. This clinical pearl reviews emerging practice-based patterns and outlines practical lithium monitoring strategies pharmacists can apply proactively during GLP-1 RA therapy changes to reduce toxicity risk.
What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting: a Review of Pseudocyesis, presented by Melanie Rovelo, PharmD, BCPP
- Recognize the characteristics and causes of pseudocyesis.
- Select a pharmacological treatment plan with the least effects on prolactin to mitigate development or exacerbation of pseudocyesis.
Pseudocyesis is a rare mind–body condition in which an individual believes they are pregnant despite the absence of a fetus, often accompanied by physical signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Psychotropic-induced hyperprolactinemia, particularly from dopamine-blocking antipsychotics, may contribute to the development or worsening of pseudocyesis. This clinical pearl highlights medication management strategies to mitigate symptoms and improve clinical outcomes.
Management of Clozapine-Induced Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms, presented by Mackenzie Harrison, PharmD
- Recognize obsessive compulsive symptoms in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
- Identify treatment options for the management of clozapine-induced obsessive compulsive symptoms.
Clozapine is the gold-standard for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but its unique adverse effects pose barriers to treatment continuation. New or worsening obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCS) are a prevalent but rarely discussed adverse effect of clozapine treatment. Existing literature regarding management of clozapine-induced OCS is largely limited to case reports. This clinical pearl aims to summarize management strategies for clozapine-induced OCS to preserve clozapine treatment.
Learning Objectives
Lithium Toxicity Following GLP-1 RA Initiation: An Emerging Drug-Drug Interaction, presented by Katie Bye, PharmD
- Identify emerging evidence and clinical patterns of lithium toxicity associated with GLP-1 RA therapy.
- Describe pharmacist monitoring strategies to mitigate lithium toxicity risk during GLP-1 RA therapy.
What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting: a Review of Pseudocyesis, presented by Melanie Rovelo, PharmD, BCPP
- Recognize the characteristics and causes of pseudocyesis.
- Select a pharmacological treatment plan with the least effects on prolactin to mitigate development or exacerbation of pseudocyesis.
Management of Clozapine-Induced Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms, presented by Mackenzie Harrison, PharmD
- Recognize obsessive compulsive symptoms in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
- Identify treatment options for the management of clozapine-induced obsessive compulsive symptoms.
Target Audience
If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this course.
Faculty
View biographical information
Katie Bye, PharmD
Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry Pharmacist
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN
Katie Bye, PharmD, is an inpatient psychiatry and neurology pharmacist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from North Dakota State University and completed both a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency and PGY2 Internal Medicine Pharmacy Residency at Mayo Clinic.
Her professional interests include substance use disorders, pain management, hospital delirium, transitions of care, clinical research, and quality improvement. Her interests have been shaped through work on projects exploring GLP 1 RA associated mental health outcomes, strengthening clozapine monitoring and care transitions, and evaluating prescribing consistency of mental health medications across hospital services. She has been an AAPP member since her P3 year and deeply values the organization’s impact on psychiatric pharmacy practice and education.
Melanie Rovelo, PharmD, BCPP
Clinical Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University and Clinical Psychiatric Pharmacist
South Florida State Hospital
Davie, FL
Dr. Melanie Rovelo, PharmD, is a clinical psychiatric pharmacist and faculty member with a focus on mental health care, education, and advocacy. Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Dr. Rovelo earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy in 2023. Dr. Rovelo subsequently completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency in 2024 and a PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency at the Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, where comprehensive training was obtained in the care of patients with complex psychiatric and medical conditions.
Dr. Rovelo currently serves as a professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy and practices as a Clinical Psychiatric Pharmacist at South Florida State Hospital, where she provides interdisciplinary, patient-centered care for individuals with severe mental illness. Dr. Rovelo’s professional interests are rooted in early volunteer work with Shake-A-Leg Miami and extend to holistic approaches to mental health support, including therapy animal involvement. Dr. Rovelo has been actively involved in professional organizations such as Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, and Legislative Task Force.
Mackenzie Harrison, PharmD
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Pharmacist
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Baltimore, MD
Dr. Makenzie Harrison earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Butler University in May 2022. She completed her PGY-1 residency at University of Missouri Health Care and PGY-2 psychiatric pharmacy residency at University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP). She is currently an advanced practice pharmacist at UMSOP/Springfield Hospital Center, a state forensic hospital, and serves as a preceptor in the PGY2 residency program. Dr. Harrison is a board-certified psychiatric pharmacist providing individual medication management for five inpatient units in addition to other hospital-wide initiatives.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Sadie, walking to Camden Yards for an Orioles game, and exploring all Charm City has to offer.
Course Requirements
To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:
- Register for this course.
- Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
- Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
- Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.
Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures
Activity Dates: 4/21/2026-4/21/2029
ACPE Contact Hours: 1.0
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-26-028-H01-P (Knowledge)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.
The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
AAPP owns the copyright, is licensed or has received permissions for use of, or is otherwise permitted to use copyrighted materials within any CPE activity. Authors and speakers are required to obtain necessary copyright permissions for content in CPE activities. AAPP complies with copyright laws and regulations.
View disclaimer and disclosure of off-label use
Off-Label Use: This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA (see faculty information). The opinions expressed in the educational activity do not necessarily represent the views of AAPP and any educational partners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
View fair balance and integrity statement
It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.
Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AAPP for any product or manufacturer identified.