What anesthesiologists need to know about Antidepressants and other Psychotropic Drugs

Psychotropic medications are widely prescribed and are a mainstay treatment for various mental health disorders. A significant portion of patients undergoing surgery or various procedures take these medications. With the rising prevalence of mental health conditions, anesthesiologists increasingly find themselves encountering patients who depend on these medications, making the understanding of potential interactions with anesthetic agents crucial during the perioperative period. Appreciating the adverse-effect profiles and familiarity with the clinically relevant drug interactions that may occur in the perioperative setting are imperative to ensure the best possible outcome in delivering patient care. This review focuses on various classes of psychotropic agents, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anxiolytics. It covers the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of these medication classes and their interactions with agents commonly used in anesthesia.