Course Description
About AAPP Toolkits
AAPP toolkits highlight both the evidence base available as well as strategies of clinical decision making used by expert psychiatric pharmacist clinicians. The content reflects the views and practice of the authors as substantiated with evidence-based facts as well as opinion and experience. Toolkits are peer reviewed by psychiatric pharmacists. Authors and AAPP review and update toolkits annually and strive to use up-to-date, non-stigmatizing language. Terminology does evolve rapidly and often regionally such that there may be differences between reader experiences and expectations and those of the author(s). AAPP members receive complimentary, continuous access to toolkits. Non-members can purchase for a fee for a period of 3 months.
Over 3 million people in the United States are living with chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. Psychiatric illnesses are considered a barrier to achieving sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with HCV but early detection and treatment of depression can improve antiviral adherence. Depressive disorder is a commonly existing comorbidity of HCV, with an estimated prevalence of 14%. Insomnia is associated with specific direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), requiring treatment for some during the 12-24 weeks of treatment and post-treatment surveillance. Psychiatric pharmacists can help improve adherence with antiviral medications by concomitantly managing psychiatric symptoms and monitoring symptom response. In addition to performing baseline psychiatric evaluations and managing interferon-induced psychiatric symptoms, psychiatric pharmacists should provide patient education on HCV and the antiviral medications, and manage drug-drug interactions prior to initiating DAAs.
These tables/tools can be used as part of the training for psychiatric pharmacists to perform the basic duties of a clinical hepatic pharmacist, while influencing psychiatric care for patients infected with HCV who require antiviral treatment. This toolkit includes:
- Risk factors for HCV infection
- HCV medications quick reference
- References
For additional information on the medications and HCV-related tools and calculators, please go to Hepatitis C Online.
This toolkit was authored by CPNP member Susie H. Park, PharmD, BCPP, FCSHP.