Julien's Primer of Drug Action

by Claire D. Advokat, Joseph E. Comaty, Robert M. Julien Ph.D.

In its 40th anniversary edition, A Primer of Drug Action continues to evolve side by side with the field it covers, drawing on the expertise of its authors in medicine, basic science, and clinical science to offer the most current and comprehensive guide to psychopharmacology available.

Genres: Science, Psychology, Nonfiction, Drugs, Reference, Mental Health, Health

672 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Kristjan Kaitsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What information you'll find in that tome?

This book provides a great overview of psychoactive substances - from coffee to cocaine. It's written in a such way and using such words that it should be understandable for basically everyone with high school education and perhaps even for such students. While being about psychoactive substances, it also provides background to help one understand how body handles them: such as their absorption, distribution, termination, tolerance, dependence and other vital information. Basic knowledge of human brain: neurons, neurotransmitters, synapses and so on. There's also topics about addiction and it's treatment options; pharmacological consideration needed for special population: e.g. children and geriatrics. Each class of drug is described before their most common and wide-spread members. There are also a lot of information about legal (in most countries by prescription) drugs, such as anti-depressants, sedatives (e.g. benzodiazepines) and even a little bit about natural remedies. As already said, such tome can only have limited number of substances from each class and also provide most significant information about them. Still, it's amazing work and I can't even consider rating it less than five stars!

Where the information comes from? For whom?

The content is backed up by scientific articles from peer-reviewed journals. Of course, sometimes studies are contraindicating or simply there's lack of evidence about one or another matter that is impotent nevertheless. So, sometimes the author has to take one or another side or make some assumptions without going into long and probably very complicated discussion to explain all the details. It would make the guide a lot less useful and harder to understand. Such sacrifices are important if the book is itended as board audience as it is. However, usually he seems to be as neutral as possible, while still providing useful information for many different individuals from high-school students to even medical doctors. For example, if up to date edition of this book would be on every desk of general practioner and even psychiatrist in my country, then they would know difference from opiods and opiates, and why it's not good idea to e.g. prescribe 400 mg Tramadol per day with regime of SSRI-s and SNRI-s.

With you since year 1975...

Robert M. Julien's "A Primer of Drug Action" was first published in year 1975 and there has been a lot of new editions since then. It's important to get the newest edition available as unless for historical purposes using data from some decade(s) old edition may be even lethal in some cases. Of course, I doesn't imply that you should self-medicate yourself using such brief guide as your way to
grave. Just that, learning from outdated book is ... heh... stupid
Anyway, my first edition was of year 2001, but I have also studied a newer one - twelfth edition - the 2010th edition. Thus' I can testify that the won't just add few new drugs, change the dates and collect the money. No, noway! It has been greatly upgraded, like whole book has been put back to the "drawing-board" and made once again even better!

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an undertaking. Both exhaustive and at times exhausting. But I literally could not (or rather would not) put this book down. It is packed with essential info on every dang page. Crucial reading for wannabe psychopharmochology geeks. If your addicted to books about drugs, and Lord knows I am, than get ready for an over dose of bitter goodness.

[James Madsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to psychopharmacology and psychotoxicology for the lay reader.

[Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a life changer for me. It stays on my coffee table much of the time.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

we love an educated brain.. on the brain?

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

read chapters relating to drugs used to treat psychological disorders.

[Julia Swanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a textbook than anything but it has good information.

[Julia]

surprisingly accessible

[Aidan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lightweight and a superficial read. Not a serious book. Overall disappointing.

It is heavily concerned with statistics rather than physiology or pharmacology of drugs. Text is nondescript and tedious, full of dry factual content. Most of the information contained in this book is common knowledge to everyone even passingly acquainted with the basics of pharmacology and drugs. It might benefit those only complete strangers to the subject, and even then there are better options that deliver higher quality content than this book.

My impression is, it's been lazily written and intended to deliver a specific bias. The information presented in the text is not even entirely accurate at all times, and the perspective of the authors is unnecessarily biased.

[Oresta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book and was my go-to reference text while selling and promoting anti-depressants as a pharmaceutical sales representative. In my opinion, everyone who promotes, or recommends anti-depressants, including family doctors will find the resource outstanding.

Sometimes, reading the CPS is like reading a legal document. This is where this text comes in very handy. It is extremely well written and very informative in explaining the mechanism of action of all the different classes of psychotropic medications.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are at least four later editions of this book, most of which I've scanned, and which are certainly better to read if you are going to read one now. This is the only edition I read completely. I thought this book did/does a great job of really explaining the details of drug action. A very good reference source.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

i heart this amazing and wonderful book.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to know how drugs work? Well here ya go, geniuses.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful reference, especially for those working in chemical dependency.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

withdrawn from circ. at beaverton library

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required reading in my MFT program. Detailed and difficult reading for someone who hadn't been exposed to this area before, but can see that it will be a fantastic resource in the future.

[Krotpong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knowledge is power.