The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from August 2002

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from August 2002

Will ampakines be the next major breakthrough in treating Alzheimer's disease? (In the Pipeline).
August 1, 2002... For the last ten years, researchers, in conjunction with pharmaceutical companies, have been exploring ampakines, a new class ot drug that enhances memory and cognition, to combat the decline in functioning that may lead to Alzheimer's disease...

Discontinuation of nefazodone may decrease levels of hypnosedative. (Drug-Drug Interactions).(zopiclone)
August 1, 2002... Zopiclone is a hypnosedative agent used in Europe and Australia. Similar to other hypnosedatives such as zaleplon (Sonata) and zolpidem (Ambient) that are available in the United States, it is widely prescribed for the management of insomnia....

Risperidone IM examined in the elderly. (Clinical Updates from the APA Annual Meeting).(Ridperdal)
August 1, 2002... Researchers assessed the benefit/ risk ratio of the long-acting intramuscular (IM) formulation of risperidone (Ridperdal Consta) in treating psychotic disorders in the elderly. The one-year trial was conducted in an open-label manner in 725...

Galantamine not linked to sleep disorders. (Clinical Updates from the APA Annual Meeting).(Reminyl)
August 1, 2002... Researchers examined data from three separate five to six month trials of galantamine (Reminyl) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, assessing the prevalence of sleep disorders. All three studies were randomized and...

Guide addresses substance abuse and mental health issues for older adults.(Promoting Older Adult Health: Aging Network Partnerships to Address Medication, Alcohol and Mental Health Problems)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Council on the Aging (NCOA) recently released a guide called Promoting Older Adult Health: Aging Network Partnerships to Address Medication, Alcohol and...

Unsolicited Prozac Weekly mailed to patients. (News Updates).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Individuals in south Florida with depression received unsolicited samples of Prozac Weekly, the once-weekly formulation of fluoxetine, in the mail. The situation received national attention after one recipient filed a lawsuit against her...

Alzheimer's proteins discovered. (News Updates).(Exelixis and Pharmacia discover aph-1 and pen-2 beta-amyloid production proteins)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Researchers at Exelixis and Pharmacia announced the discovery of two proteins that play a role in the production of beta-amyloid, the main component in the plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. The two proteins, aph-1 and pen-2, are...

Tramadol patented for OCD and other disorders. (News Updates).(obsessive-compulsive disorder)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The University of Cincinnati has received a patent for the use of the painkiller tramadol (Ultram), for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other disorders, such as eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder and Tourette's...

$1,500 reward offered for information about illegal copying. (News Updates).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Manisses Communications Group, Inc. offers a reward of up to $1,500 to persons providing evidence of illegal photocopying, sending by fax, transmitting electronically or reproducing by any other means The Brown University Geriatric...

Retrospective study finds Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies similarly responsive to quetiapine.(Seroquel)
August 1, 2002... In order to compare the long-term effect of quetiapine (Seroquel) for Parkinson's disease (PD) and for psychosis in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), researchers conducted a chart review of 98 patients--87 with Parkinson's disease and 11 with...

Abuse-resistant pain medication shelved. (Drug approvals update).(Purdue Pharma discontinures oxycodone (OxyContin) research)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Purdue Pharma, makers of the pain medication oxycodone (OxyContin), reported recently that more studies would be required before submitting its New Drug Application (NDA) for an abuse-resistant pain medication to the Food and Drug...

Ziprasidone IM approved. (Drug approvals update).(Geodon)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Pfizer recently announced that the FDA has granted approval of the intramuscular (IM) formulation of its atypical antipsychotic ziprasidone (Geodon) to rapidly control agitated behavior and psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and...

Non-approvable letter for Risperdal Consta. (Drug approvals update).(Johnson and Johnson)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Ten months after submitting a New Drug Application (NDA), Johnson & Johnson announced that it had received a non-approvable letter from the FDA for its long-acting, injectable formulation of risperidone, Risperdal Consta. According to Johnson &...

Non-approvable letter for acamprosate. (Drug approvals update).(Forest Laboratories)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Forest Laboratories announced that acamprosate, a medication designed to promote abstinence from alcohol, received a non-approvable letter from the FDA. According to Forest, the letter indicated that data submitted in the New Drug Application...

Donepezil used in schizophrenia with dementia. (Case Reports).(Aricept)
August 1, 2002... # Patients: 3 females (61, 72, 68 y/o) Medications: donepezil (Aricept) and others Comments: Patient 1 was a 61-year-old female with DSM-IV paranoid schizophrenia, primary Parkinson's disease (Yahr stage 3) and chronic hypertension. She...

Medication order abbreviation chart.(medication error prevention)
August 1, 2002... Medication Order Abbreviation Chart The following abbreviations have been associated with confusion and misinterpretation when used in medication orders. Please use the "Suggested Practice" recommendations provided below when writing...

Alprazolam (generic) ~ Xanax (brand). (Your Medication Information).
August 1, 2002... Classification: Benzodiazepine anti-anxiety agent. Common Usage: Alprazolam is indicated for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and for panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia. Alprazolam can also be used for sleep, but may...