The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from February 2003

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from February 2003

Olanzapine may increase risk of hyperlipidemia in geriatric patients. (Schizophrenia).
February 1, 2003... Although the newer antipsychotic agents have proven efficacious in terms of extrapyramidal symptoms, studies have suggested that olanzapine might induce elevated lipid levels. To ascertain this information, researchers at the University of...

Combining risperidone, fluvoxamine may enhance response rate. (Initial Depression Treatment).
February 1, 2003... Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to be effective and safe in management of depression but not all patients respond to therapy. For management of these non-responders, adding atypical antipsychotics has been...

Testosterone therapy may be beneficial for men with late-onset depression. (Initial Depression Treatment).
February 1, 2003... A recently reported study examined testosterone therapy in men with late-life depression. Paul J. Perry, Ph.D., and colleagues note that andropause or "low-testosterone syndrome" has been hypothesized to be associated with dysphoria and major...

Meta-analysis finds benefits of ChIs not just cognitive. (Clinical Notes).
February 1, 2003... A group of researchers reviewed 29 studies examining the efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors (Chis) in treating the neuropsychiatric symptoms and functional impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). They noted that research has...

Homework compliance in CBT effects outcomes. (Clinical Notes).
February 1, 2003... David W. Coon, Ph.D., and Larry W. Thompson, Ph.D., examined data from elderly patients with mild-to-moderate depression, finding that homework compliance in patients receiving cognitive/behavioral therapy (CBT) had a significant effect on...

Clozapine approved for suicidal behavior. (News Updates).
February 1, 2003... The FDA recently announced the approval of clozapine (Clozaril) for the treatment of recurrent suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are at chronic risk. The approval marks the first time a drug has...

Nanogen obtains rights to use of ApoE diagnostic methods. (News Updates).
February 1, 2003... Nanogen recently announced an agreement with Athena Diagnostics that grants Nanogen the rights to patents and patent applications relating to the use of Apopiloprotein E (ApoE) in detection, diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease (AD)....

Atomoxetine approved by FDA. (News Updates).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Eli Lilly recently announced FDA approval of atomoxetine (Straterra), a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, for the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents and adults. Straterra is not classified as a stimulant under the Controlled...

Elderly with psychotic disorders benefit from skills training. (News Updates).
February 1, 2003... A study in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry indicates that older patients with schizophrenia may improve with treatment programs that emphasize everyday skills. Thomas L. Patterson, Ph.D., of the University of California, San Diego,...

APOE e4 not linked to higher costs of care. (News Updates).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... A recent study by Duke University researchers found no link between the presence of APOE e4, a genetic marker thought to predict Alzheimer's disease (AD), and increased costs of hospital care. The researchers examined 1,999 patients 65 years...

Forest submits new NDA for memantine for AD. (News Updates).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Forest Laboratories, Inc. recently announced that it had submitted a second New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for its investigational drug memantine for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). The new NDA corrects some...

Drug-induced parkinsonism with a SNRI. (Case Report).
February 1, 2003... # Patients: 1 female (83 y/o) Medications: milnacipran Comments: An 83-year-old woman had been prescribed etidronate (Didronel) 200 mg daily and 0.25 [micro]g of calcitriol for osteoporosis. She was also prescribed milnacipran 15 mg twice...

Dose form alert.
February 1, 2003... (NOTE: This chart was prepared by Pharmacy Services at Bradley Hospital, Providence, RI) Controlled-release dose forms have been associated with confusion at the time of patient assessment, prescribing, transcribing, dispensing and...

Carbamazepine (generic) ~ Tegretol (brand). (Your Medication Information).
February 1, 2003... Classification: Anticonvulsant, mood stabilizer, neuropathic pain reliever. Common Usage: Carbamazepine is indicated for the treatment of certain types of seizure disorders and relief from the chronic pain associated with trigeminal...