This introduction to basic principles of psychotropic drug use in developmentally disabled patients is intended to provide personnel working in the field with information on appropriate clinical use as well as potential risks. Presented in outline form, information is provided on five classes of psychotropic drugs: antipsychotics; antidepressants; antimanic agents; anti-anxiety drugs; and stimulants. For each of these classes the outline briefly covers general guidelines for use including specific psychiatric indications and target symptoms, mechanism of action, available products, dosing guidelines, pharmacokinetics, side effects, rational use of the particular category of medication, and a list of potential drug interactions. 31 references. (DB)