This Month in Psychopharmacology

2020 NEI Max! Highlight: What to Do When Your Patient is Using Methamphetamine

2020 NEI Max | Virtual
November 7, 2020

     Breaking Bad: What to Do When Your Patient Is Using Methamphetamine
     Presented by William M. Sauvé, MD

Inspired by audience questions at NEI live meetings over recent years, ‘Breaking Bad: What To Do When Your Patient is Using Methamphetamine’ was developed to address the numerous clinical scenarios that can be complicated by methamphetamine use and abuse. During 2020 NEI Max!, Dr. William Sauvé presented a series of cases that examined
  1. the misuse of methamphetamine to ameliorate untreated symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder;
  2. the association between methamphetamine abuse, motor symptoms, and Parkinson’s disease;
  3. novel therapies for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder;
  4. treatment for co-occurring methamphetamine abuse and bipolar disorder; and
  5. treatment for methamphetamine-induced psychosis.
Although clinical trials on treatments for methamphetamine use disorder are sorely needed, some clinical research indicates that stimulant agonists therapies (e.g., methylphenidate) reduce methamphetamine craving and to a lesser extent methamphetamine use, while some atypical antipsychotics (e.g., aripiprazole) may also reduce methamphetamine craving.

     Additional Resources:

NEI Podcast
Episode 73: Stimulating Side Effects: What to Do When Your Patient is Using Methamphetamine with Dr. William Sauve (CME available)
This Month In Psychopharmacology:
Characteristics of Methamphetamine Users
NEI Resources
Topic: Methamphetamine
This Month In Psychopharmacology:
Increased Treatment Admissions Involving Methamphetamine Use