The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from July 2003

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from July 2003

Contrary to some earlier results, new study shows NSAIDs do not slow progression of Alzheimer's disease. (New Research).
July 1, 2003... Based on laboratory evidence that inflammatory mechanisms contribute to neuronal injury in Alzheimer's disease (AD), researchers have explored the effects non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have on the progression of the disease....

Hormone therapy linked to increase in dementia in elderly women. (Update on HRT).
July 1, 2003... Older women taking combination hormone therapy had twice the rate of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), compared with women who did not take the medication, according to a memory substudy of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). The...

Obesity: Orlistat may affect INR when added to warfarin. (Drug-Drug Interactions).
July 1, 2003... Orlistat (Xenical) is a reversible inhibitor of gastric and pancreatic lipases with anti-obesity and anti-lipemic activities. As such, its pharmacological effect includes reduction in absorption of dietary fat. It is primarily used as an...

Duloxetine examined for elderly patients with MDD. (More New Research from the APA Annual Meeting).(major depressive disorder)
July 1, 2003... Researchers examined data from a 52-week, open-label study in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who received treatment with duloxetine (Cymbalta), an investigational serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). The data...

Ziprasidone used safely for dementia. (More New Research from the APA Annual Meeting).
July 1, 2003... A case review of 62 frail, elderly patients being treated with ziprasidone (Geodon) for dementia-related problems, including irritability, agitation, combativeness, depression and mood lability found benefits of using ziprasidone alone or with...

Managing GI symptoms from rivastigmine therapy. (More New Research from the APA Annual Meeting).
July 1, 2003... A 20-week study evaluated the use of trimethobenzamide (TMB) for limiting gastrointestinal symptom s in elderly patients taking the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine (Exelon)--taken on a four-week titration schedule--for Alzheimer's...

Longer elimination half-life of fluoxetine in elderly. (More New Research from the APA Annual Meeting).
July 1, 2003... A clinical trial examined the pharmacokinetics of fluoxetine in elderly subjects ([greater than or equal to] 65), finding a longer elimination half-life compared to what is reported in the drug's labeling. Twenty-five healthy volunteers with or...

Nicotine byproduct may help in AD. (News Updates).(nornicotine may help treat Alzheimer's disease-related dementia)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Researchers have found that a byproduct of nicotine may help protect against dementia in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The substance, nornicotine, is toxic, and it could not be used as a medication itself. Future research may produce compounds...

Link made between insulin and dementia. (News Updates).(possible link with Alzheimer's disease)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... IV infusion of insulin was found to acutely raise levels of beta-amyloid in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of normal adults in a study in a study published in the June 24 issue of Neurology. According to the researchers, insulin may warrant...

New sleep drug studied. (News Updates).(indiplon)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... According to data presented at the recent Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) Meeting, the investigational drug indiplon improves sleep initiation and sleep maintenance in the elderly. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested...

Ziprasidone used for mood and behavioral disturbances. (Case Reports).
July 1, 2003... # Patients: 1 male, 2 female (66-92 y/o) Medications: ziprasidone (Geodon) and others Comments: Case 1: A 92-year-old man with a five-year history of worsening dementia had symptoms of paranoia and increasing impulsiveness,...

Bupropion, bupropion sustained release (generic)~ Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Zyban (brand). (Your Medication Information).
July 1, 2003... Classification: Dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant. Common Usage: Bupropion is indicated for the treatment of depression and for tobacco smoking cessation. Bupropion has also been used to treat...