Psychotropic Drugs in Special Conditions

Abstract

This chapter provides brief details of the toxicity in overdose of commonly used psychotropics. It is intended to help guide drug choice in those thought to be at risk of suicide, to give some indication of safe quantities to prescribe and to help identify symptoms of overdose. In all cases of suspected overdose, urgent referral to acute medical facilities is, of course, strongly advised. Everyone has a duty to drive reasonably, and in almost all countries drivers are legally responsible for accidents they cause whether or not under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Many factors have been shown to affect driving performance. In the UK, severe mental disorder is a prescribed disability for the purposes of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Many psychotropics can impair alertness, concentration and driving performance. There are few studies of the effects of non‐anaesthetic drugs on surgery and the anaesthetic process.