Our Faculty

Paul Zarkowski, M.D.

Paul Zarkowski, M.D.

Clinical Associate Professor

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington

Biography

Dr. Paul Zarkowski is a Senior Psychiatric Supervisor at Sound Health in Seattle and serves as Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. He has published articles and chapters on various topics, including using EEG in psychiatric applications, improving suicide risk assessment, and addressing the clinical needs of special populations. Ongoing research interests include strategies for improving psychiatric medication regimens for optimum outcomes.

Publications of Paul Zarkowski, M.D.

Quick Take Vol. 86

0.75 CMEs
What are the teratogenic risks of zolpidem in pregnancy? Do SGLT2 inhibitors slow lithium-related kidney decline? Which antipsychotic works best for acute schizophrenia? Do herbals like Rhodiola or St. John's wort help in mild depression? When should antipsychotics be continued after substance-induced psychosis?
Faculty: Amanda Koire, M.D., Ph.D., James Phelps, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M.
42.09 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 85

0.50 CMEs
Does Cobenfy maintain its efficacy and safety after one year of use? Should we reconsider trazodone for depression-associated insomnia despite AASM guidelines? Is antidepressant monotherapy in bipolar I as risky as previously thought? Does inflammation explain treatment resistance in older depressed adults? What risk factors predict stimulant misuse and diversion in ADHD patients?
Faculty: Scott R. Beach, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M., James Phelps, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D.
33.5 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 84

0.75 CMEs
When should you taper a benzodiazepine, and how slowly? Does semaglutide reverse metabolic risk in schizophrenia patients on clozapine or olanzapine? Is EPA effective for TRD? Can brief psychotherapy enable safe antidepressant discontinuation? Is a ketogenic diet effective for depression and other psychiatric conditions?
Faculty: Scott R. Beach, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., Derick E. Vergne, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., James Phelps, M.D.
47.02 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 83

0.75 CMEs
When should you consider high-dose olanzapine instead of clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia? How effective is aripiprazole augmentation versus switching strategies in older adults with depression? Can GLP-1 receptor agonists elevate lithium levels? Should inflammatory markers guide antidepressant selection? Is adjunctive propranolol effective for panic disorder?
Faculty: Scott R. Beach, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., James Phelps, M.D., Derick E. Vergne, M.D.
38.56 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 82

0.50 CMEs
What are the six key tips for switching oral antipsychotics? Does deprescribing antipsychotics after delirium improve outcomes in older adults? Why is xylazine overdose difficult to treat? What does the PAX-D study reveal about pramipexole for depression? Do bioequivalent medications always produce equivalent clinical results?
Faculty: Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., Scott R. Beach, M.D., David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Derick E. Vergne, M.D.
36.44 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 81

0.50 CMEs
Can ondansetron improve negative symptoms in schizophrenia? Will lithium orotate prevent or reverse Alzheimer's disease? What predicts treatment response in bipolar disorder? Should we increase SSRI doses or try alternative strategies for inadequate response? Is trazodone safe for treating insomnia in alcohol use disorder?
Faculty: Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., Scott R. Beach, M.D., Kristin Raj, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M.
36.33 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 78

0.50 CMEs
Can pramipexole help treatment-resistant bipolar depression? Does semaglutide work for clozapine-induced obesity? Which antipsychotics best prevent hospitalization after cannabis-induced psychosis? What treatments rank highest for treatment-resistant depression? How do gut microbiota differ in depression versus anxiety disorders?
Faculty: Kristin Raj, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Derick E. Vergne, M.D., David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M.
34.08 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 77

0.75 CMEs
What is the best antipsychotic for first-episode psychosis? Can lurasidone treat bipolar depression with severe anxiety? How much do SSRIs increase bleeding when combined with anticoagulants? Is adding salt to meals associated with depression and anxiety?
Faculty: Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., Kristin Raj, M.D., Derick E. Vergne, M.D.
39.21 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 76

0.75 CMEs
Can lumateperone effectively treat depression with mixed features? Can GLP-1 agonists manage antipsychotic-induced weight gain? Is quetiapine superior to lithium for treatment-resistant depression? Do antidepressants accelerate cognitive decline in dementia patients? How do probiotics and prebiotics affect depression, anxiety, and cognition?
Faculty: Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., Kristin Raj, M.D., Derick E. Vergne, M.D.
44.56 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 75

0.75 CMEs
What are the main considerations when choosing an antipsychotic for first-episode psychosis? How do side effects of antidepressants change over time? Do combinations of psychiatric medications increase Torsades risk? Is there sufficient evidence for psychedelics in treating substance use disorders? Can tea compounds benefit mood and sleep disorders through neurotransmitter modulation?
Faculty: David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M., Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., Derick E. Vergne, M.D.
40.11 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 74

0.75 CMEs
What are the main reasons disulfiram is underutilized for alcohol use disorder? How do different antipsychotics compare regarding QT prolongation risks? What is the optimal dosage of lurasidone for bipolar depression ? How does clozapine's effectiveness compare to other antipsychotics? Which non-benzodiazepine medication options show the best balance of efficacy and side effects for insomnia in psychiatric patients?
Faculty: David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M., Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., Kristin Raj, M.D.
41.07 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 72

0.50 CMEs
Can GLP-1 receptor agonists effectively treat alcohol use disorder? Which antidepressants cause the most weight gain? Do antidepressants increase fall risk in older adults? How effective and safe is ketamine for bipolar depression? Is aripiprazole truly a lower metabolic risk antipsychotic compared to olanzapine?
Faculty: David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M., Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., F.A.C.L.P., Kristin Raj, M.D.
35.04 minutes in 5 audio sections
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