The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from July 2005

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from July 2005

Gauging competency of patients to decide treatment for Alzheimer's disease.(The Double-Edged Sword)
July 1, 2005... Advances in the early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) raise challenges for health care professionals who must determine whether patients remain capable of giving informed consent for treatment. They cannot simply assume that patients,...

What are the risks of long-term use? Diagnosing and managing dependency.(Benzodiazepines)
July 1, 2005... Although the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommends that benzodiazepines are used best in time-limited situations, the APA reports that one benzodiazepine user in four remains on these agents for a year or longer. A high prevalence...

Antidepressant-induced sweating.(Drug-Drug Interactions)
July 1, 2005... Antidepressant-induced sweating has been reported with the use of both tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), with incidence that range from 10 to 14% in controlled clinical trials to as high as 33 to 40%...

A geriatric decision-support system for psychotropics.(What's New In Research)
July 1, 2005... Josh F. Peterson, M.D., and colleagues conducted a study using a database they developed for psychotropic drug dosing and prescribing guidelines for the elderly. These recommendations were communicated through a computerized order entry system...

AD patients tolerate switch from donepezil to rivastigmine.(What's New In Research)
July 1, 2005... New study results suggest that switching from donepezil to rivastigmine, without a washout period, in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is safe and well tolerated. Switching from one cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor to another once the...

Perospirone * may improve food refusal.(Case Report)
July 1, 2005... Patient: 5 patients (ages 59-80 years; 4 female, 1 male) Medications: Perospirone Comment: Perospirone was administered to 5 patients (4 are presented below) with psychiatric disorders who refused food. They were given no other concomitant...

Warning on Trileptal (oxcarbazepine).(From the FDA)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The FDA and Novartis Pharmaceuticals have notified healthcare professionals about updated Warnings and Precautions sections of labeling for Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) tablets and oral suspension. The drug is used as monotherapy or adjunctive...

Warning about implanted neurological stimulators.(From the FDA)(magnetic resonance imaging)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The FDA has received several reports of serious injury, including coma and permanent neurological impairment, resulting from MRI procedures carried out in patients with implanted neurological stimulators. These adverse events appear to be...

Duloxetine may alleviate anxiety symptoms.(News from the APA Annual Meeting 2005)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... New study data show that patients over 65 years of age experienced significantly reduced anxiety symptoms following treatment with duloxetine (Cymbalta) 60 mg daily compared with placebo. The results are based on an 8-week multicenter,...

Alprazolam (generic): Xanax, Xanax XR (brand).(YOUR MEDICATION INFORMATION)
July 1, 2005... CLASSIFICATION: Benzodiazepine anti-anxiety agent COMMON USAGE: Alprazolam is indicated for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, the short-term relief of anxiety, anxiety associated with depression and for panic disorder with or...