Psychopharmacologic approach to the medically ill patient.

Generally, there are few absolute contraindications to the use of somatic psychiatric therapies in the medically or surgically ill. A knowledge of psychotropic drugs, of their predictable effects on organs, of their interactions with other medications, and of the idiosyncratic reactions that they often produce allows the consultation psychiatrist to treat the seriously ill patient safely. Close collaboration with other consultants is essential to maximize therapeutic benefits.