The effects of psychotropic drugs on the cardiovascular system.

Abstract

Clinicians may encounter substantial numbers of patients with cardiovascular disease who may be receiving cardiovascular medications and who also need psychopharmacologic intervention. To provide information regarding the management of such patients, the pharmacology of the major classes of psychoactive agents is reviewed with respect to their cardiotoxicity, cardiovascular side effects, and drug-drug interactions. Management of the cardiovascular complications of psychotropic overdose is discussed, and potential therapeutic uses of psychoactive medications in patients with cardiovascular pathology are noted.