Psychopharmacology and culture

Abstract

Prescribing medicine is one of many therapeutic strategies that clinicians use in managing mental illness in patients. In different cultures, patients have varying expectations of types of medication. Some cultures prefer injections, whereas others like syrups. Patients from some cultures have faith in small tablets whereas others in big tablets. Colour of tablets also affects compliance. In addition, cultural factors like diet, smoking, and religious rituals also play a role in developing and maintaining therapeutic adherence. Individual pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic factors are likely to be strongly influenced by ethnic and racial factors. Environmental and personality factors can play an important role in efficacy of medication. There is no doubt that medication is an important part of the therapeutic interaction. Clinicians must give the right information about medication in terms that patients and their families can understand clearly, especially the meaning of the medication and its purpose and potential side effects.