Psychiatric medicines
Most psychiatric medicines are continued perioperatively to avoid relapse or withdrawal. Exceptions require a medicine-specific assessment and coordination with the prescriber.
Assessment depends on the exact antidepressant, mood stabiliser, antipsychotic, anxiolytic or stimulant, its interactions and the consequences of interruption. Lithium, MAO inhibitors and other medicines with important perioperative interactions should not be managed using a blanket rule.
The drug-specific recommendations in the SPAQI consensus and local policy inform the individual plan. Documentation of any interruption and restart plan supports continuity of care.