Psychosis as the Diagnosis, Drugs as the Cause

Many clinical professionals have a difficult time recognizing the signs and symptoms of psychosis as opposed to other mental health symptoms, such as mania. This makes it difficult to identify patients who may be experiencing drug-induced psychosis and patients may be misdiagnosed with a mental illness when in reality, the symptoms are due to the effects of a drug. Both prescription and OTC medications have the potential to induce psychosis, so pharmacists in all treatment settings need to be aware of this potential serious ADE and which medications are most likely to cause psychosis.

After providing an overview of what signs and symptoms are associated with psychosis, this activity will identify the medications/classes that are most likely to induce psychosis. These will include: stimulants, corticosteroids, anticholinergics, Parkinson’s disease meds, opioids, varenicline, and some cardio meds. Clinical pearls such as which psychosis symptoms are more commonly associated with each medication will be discussed and will be emphasize by providing case examples for some of the medications.