The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from February 2006

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from February 2006

Preliminary results suggest testosterone therapy may benefit older patients with AD. Authors caution findings are not definitive or conclusive.(New Research on Alzheimer's Disease)(Clinical report)
February 1, 2006... Testosterone therapy may benefit older male patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in terms of their overall quality of life. This is one of the conclusions drawn from a new study investigating testosterone supplementation versus placebo in a...

Study assesses efficacy of high-dose cabergoline in Parkinson's disease.(Parkinson's Disease)(Clinical report)
February 1, 2006... New study results investigating high-dose cabergoline in PD patients with motor fluctuations and/or dyskinesias suggest that cabergoline is efficient as adjunctive treatment in reducing "on-off" fluctuations, improving motor function and...

Risk of cerebrovascular accidents with atypical antipsychotics.(Drug-Drug Interactions)(Clinical report)
February 1, 2006... Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials in elderly patients with dementia suggested a higher incidence of cerebrovascular adverse events (four percent) in patients who received risperidone (Risperdal) compared to about two percent of...

Frail, elderly patients and unnecessary drug use.(What's New in Research)(Report)
February 1, 2006... A new study has found a high prevalence of drugs prescribed unnecessarily to frail, elderly, hospitalized patients. The results draw attention to the need for further research to identify predictors of unnecessary polypharmacy in the elderly as...

Mixed result with sertraline for panic disorder.(What's New in Research)(Clinical report)
February 1, 2006... In a randomized withdrawal study published in the October issue of International Clinical Psychopharmacology, researchers found that sertraline (Zoloft) treatment did not show a significant advantage over placebo in preventing relapse of panic...

Olanzapine versus ziprasidone for schizophrenia.(What's New in Research)(Clinical report)
February 1, 2006... A 28-week randomized, double-blind study funded by Eli Lilly compared the efficacy and safety of its atypical neuroleptic olanzapine (Zyprexa) with that of ziprasidone (Geodon) in patients with schizophrenia. The investigators report that...

ADERC progress report on Alzheimer's disease available.(News Notes)(Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center)
February 1, 2006... The 2004-2005 Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease is available for downloading from the Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center (ADERC). The 88-page report, extensively illustrated in full color, covers recent U.S. government...

Modafinil investigated to reduce daytime sleepiness in PD patients.(News Notes)(Parkinson's disease)(Brief article)(Clinical report)
February 1, 2006... Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have concluded that modafinil failed to show a significant reduction of daytime somnolence in elderly men with Parkinson's disease (PD). The findings are based on a new double-blind, placebo-controlled...

Eli Lilly seeks to expand indications for duloxetine (Cymbalta).(News Notes)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Eli Lilly and Co. announced they will submit a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the FDA for Cymbalta (duloxetine) for treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. In the United States, Cymbalta is approved for treatment of major...

Discontinuation of risperidone and respiratory dyskinesia.(Case Report)
February 1, 2006... Patient: female, 84 y/o Medications: risperidone (Risperdal), donepezil (Aricept), quetiapine (Seroquel), ranitidine (Zantac) Comment: An 84-year-old woman, presenting at a geriatric psychiatric outpatient clinic with visual...

New approvals.(From the FDA)(drug approvals)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... * Tentative approval has been granted (11/14/05) for bupropion hydrochloride, in extended release tablet formulations of 150 and 300 mg, manufactured by Anchen Pharma. * Tentative approval (12/2/05) has been granted to Par Pharma for...

Pramipexole (generic): Mirapex (brand).(YOUR MEDICATION INFORMATION)
February 1, 2006... CLASSIFICATION: A nonergot dopamine agonist. COMMON USAGE: Pramipexole is used for treating symptoms of Parkinson's disease in its early and advanced stages. IMPORTANT SIDE EFFECTS: In patients with early and advanced Parkinson's...