Category Archives: Undergraduate

Diagnosing bipolar disorder Many patients with borderline personality disorder or other forms of moodiness are wrongly diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. On the other hand, it is simultaneously true that many patients with bipolar disorder (especially bipolar II disorder) continue to be misdiagnosed as having a depressive disorder. Because the treatment of depression and of bipolar […]

(If you are not already signed up for FREE tips, news, and updates from this website, please enter your email address at the bottom of this page. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!) The US medical system switched from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM on October 1, 2015.  For billing and other purposes, clinicians in the US […]

Olanzapine (US brand name Zyprexa® and generic) is a second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic. Here is basic information about this medication. FDA-approved indications 1. As oral formulation for: a. Schizophrenia in adults and adolescents b. Manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults and adolescents (ages 13-17 ) c. Manic or mixed episodes associated […]

Paliperidone extended-release (US brand name Invega® and generic) is a second-generation (“atypical”) antipsychotic. FDA-approved indications 1. Treatment of schizophrenia in adults and adolescents (ages 12-17) 2. Treatment of schizoaffective disorder in adults as monotherapy and as an adjunct to mood stabilizers and/or antidepressants. Dosage A. Schizophrenia (adults) Initial: 6 mg/day Recommended: 3 – 12 mg/day […]

Paliperidone palmitate (Invega Trinza®) is an extended-release injectable second-generation (“atypical”) antipsychotic which can be administered once every 3 months. Here is basic information about this medication. FDA-Approved Indication Schizophrenia after adequate treatment with 1-month paliperidone palmitate extended-release (Invega Sustenna®) for at least four months. Dosage The dose of 3-month paliperidone palmitate (Invega Trinza®) will depend on the last […]

Paliperidone palmitate (Invega Sustenna®) is an extended-release injectable second-generation (“atypical”) antipsychotic. Here is basic information about this medication. FDA-approved indications Treatment of schizophrenia Treatment of schizoaffective disorder as monotherapy and as an adjunct to mood stabilizers or antidepressants Dosage A. Schizophrenia Initiation (IM deltoid): Administer 234 mg on day 1; 156 mg on day 8 Monthly […]

Extended Release Olanzapine (Zyprexa Relprevv®) is a long-acting, second-generation (atypical), injectable antipsychotic. Here is basic information about this medication. FDA-approved indications Schizophrenia Dosage Recommended dosing of extended release olanzapine based on correspondence to oral olanzapine doses A. First 8 weeks of treatment a) Target oral dose 10 mg/day: 210 mg/2 weeks or 405 mg/4 weeks b) Target oral […]

Haldol® Decanoate is a brand name of a depot formulation of haloperidol which is a first-generation (“typical”) antipsychotic. Here is basic information about this medication. FDA-approved indications Treatment of schizophrenic patients who require prolonged parenteral antipsychotic therapy Dosage A. Initial dosage (given by deep IM injection every month) Switchover from oral dose to haloperidol decanoate […]

Lurasidone or Latuda® is a second-generation antipsychotic, manufactured by Sunovion and introduced in the US in 2010 for the acute treatment of schizophrenia. Note: This page and its related pages contain the full text of the chapter on lurasidone (Latuda) in my book, The Latest Antidepressants. This webpage will always have the most up-to-date version of that […]

Clozapine (US brand names Clozaril®, Fazaclo® ODT, Versacloz®, and generic) is a second-generation (“atypical”) antipsychotic. Here is basic information about this medication. FDA-approved indications 1. Treatment resistant schizophrenia 2. Reducing suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder Dosage Starting: 12.5 mg once or twice daily, with or without food Titration: Increase the total daily dosage in increments […]

Cariprazine (Vraylar®) is a second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic. Here is basic information about this medication. FDA-approved indications 1. Schizophrenia 2. Acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. Dosage Schizophrenia Starting: 1.5 mg/day Recommended: 1.5–6 mg/day Bipolar Mania Starting: 1.5 mg/day Recommended: 3–6 mg/day Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for […]

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved   brexpiprazole (brand name “Rexulti®”) in July 2015 for two indications:   the treatment of schizophrenia and as adjunctive therapy to antidepressants for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Rexulti® is manufactured by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company Ltd and co-marketed with H. Lundbeck A/S. Pharmacological effects 1. Partial agonist at […]

Asenapine (US brand name Saphris®) is a second-generation (“atypical”) antipsychotic. FDA-approved indications 1. Schizophrenia 2. Acute treatment of manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder (monotherapy) 3. Acute treatment of manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder (adjunctive to lithium or valproate) Dosage Schizophrenia – acute treatment in adults Starting: 5 […]

Aripiprazole (US brand name Abilify® and generic Aripiprix, zolonda) is a second-or third generation (atypical) antipsychotic. FDA-approved indications A. Oral 1. Schizophrenia 2. Acute treatment of manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder 3. Adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder 4. Irritability associated with autistic disorder 5. Treatment of Tourette’s disorder B. Injectable […]

Haloperidol (US brand name Haldol® and generic) is a first-generation (“typical”) antipsychotic. Here is basic information about this medication. Oral Haloperidol (Tablets, Oral concentrate) FDA-approved indications 1. Management of manifestations of psychotic disorders 2. Control of tics and vocal utterances of Tourette’s Disorder in children and adults 3. Treatment of severe behavior problems in children of combative, […]

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The Importance of Continuous Learning Whether we are at school, college, university or working hard to climb the career ladder, I’m sure that we all understand the importance that continuous and ongoing learning plays in our continued success throughout life. This IQ Matrix presents you with some fundamental keys to effective learning. Based on the […]