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Bridget Bradley, PharmD, BCPP
CPNP Programming Committee Member

Psychiatric pharmacists learn from various colleagues throughout their training and employment. Time and competing priorities prevent vetting all discussions with a thorough drug information search. Is it true that mirtazapine is more sedating at lower doses relative to higher doses? Or how does the efficacy differ between first and second generation antipsychotics for the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia? Serotonin syndrome, a rare but serious side effect, has been attributed to antidepressant use. What about antidepressant in combination with agents such as triptans and the antibiotic, linezolid? The psychiatric pharmacist is also likely to be asked the question on rechallenge of lamotrigine for a patient with a history of rash. Lamotrigine can cause serious rashes requiring hospitalization and discontinuation of treatment. It is important to periodically re-evaluate our practices to avoid perpetuation of misconceptions.

In this session, Dr. Hebbard will evaluate evidence-based medicine to clarify whether common ideas heard and shared in practice today are fact, myth or whether the verdict is still out.

Learning objectives for Dr. Hebbard’s talk include:

  1. Recall evidence to determine if mirtazapine and quetiapine have a dose-related or inverse dose-related response with regard to sedation.
  2. Review the evidence for efficacy of typical and atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia.
  3. Discuss the risks of concomitant use of antidepressants with linezolid or triptans.
  4. Explain evidence for re-titration of lamotrigine and compare to package labeling.

Dr. Amy Hebbard, PharmD, BCPP received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia and completed residency training at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, SC. She has been with MUSC Health since 2010 and has served in several roles including Psychiatric Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and Coordinator for Psychiatric Pharmacy Services. She also holds an appointment as an Adjunct Affiliate Professor within the College of Pharmacy at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her primary practice interests are geriatric psychiatry and multidisciplinary collaboration to improve patient care.

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