Psychiatric manifestations of medications commonly prescribed in otolaryngology.

Otolaryngologists, nurses, and psychological professionals should be familiar with the potential psychiatric side effects of medications that are commonly prescribed by otolaryngologists. Because some of these side effects are atypical, their relationship to medications might not be obvious. An awareness of the potential for psychiatric side effects caused by adrenocorticoids, antihistamines and decongestants, and antisecretory medications will help the clinician avoid or detect and treat drug-induced disorders, as will an awareness of the potential for side effects caused by combinations of medications. Identification of individual risk factors such as age, pre-existing organic brain disease, a history of drug abuse or dependence, or coexisting or pre-existing psychiatric disorders is important in preventing and detecting drug-induced psychiatric disorders. The drugs discussed in this article can have serious, even fatal, interactions with certain psychiatric medications.