The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from May 2004

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from May 2004

Can cholinesterase inhibitors help patients with more severe Alzheimer's?(Alzheimer's update)
May 1, 2004... Cholinesterase (CHE) inhibitors have proven to be effective in treating mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), although how patients in the moderate to severe stages of the disease will respond to treatment has yet to be clearly determined....

Possible link between paroxetine and transient ischemic attack.(Drug-Drug Interactions)
May 1, 2004... The of selective serotonin use reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have increased dramatically over the last several years, one reason being their relatively benign side effect profile, and a good safety record even in overdose cases. The following...

Benzodiazepine use high among depressed elderly.(What's New In Research)
May 1, 2004... By examining a sample of depressed patients treated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), researchers determined that despite recommendations, slightly more than a third of these depressed patients received benzodiazepines in addition...

Low-dose risperidone for patients with delirium.(What's New In Research)
May 1, 2004... A recent study demonstrated that the atypical antipsychotic risperidone (Risperdal) was effective in treating symptoms of delirium in elderly hospitalized patients, providing evidence of a safer alternative to haloperidol for these patients....

Panic disorder in the elderly.(What's New In Research)
May 1, 2004... Comparing the course and symptoms of a disorder in younger versus older patients is important in determining whether the same interventions will be effective for different patient populations. In a study of panic disorder in young (less than 60...

Rivastigmine exelon (generic) (Brand).(Your Medication Information)
May 1, 2004... CLASSIFICATION: Reversible cholinesterase inhibitor. COMMON USAGE: Rivastigmine is indicated for the COMMON USAGE: treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. IMPORTANT SIDE EFFECTS: Rivastigmine use can be associated with...

Reading test helps diagnose dementia.(News Notes)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... New research from the Alzheimer's Research Trust may improve the accuracy of diagnostic tests for dementia. The research, published in the journal Neurology, shows that the National Adult Reading Test (NART), a test of premorbid mental ability,...

Paxil alternative available.(News Notes)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... After receiving approval from the FDA last year, paroxetine mesylate (Pexeva)--an alternative to paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil)--is now available. Paroxetine mesylate isused for the treatment of depression, obsessive/compulsive disorder and...

Smoking may hasten brain decline in elderly.(News Notes)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Findings published in Neurology suggest that smoking may increase the rate of brain decline in elderly people, BBC News reported. Researchers found that the rate of brain decline in elderly smokers was five times higher than the rate of decline...

Memory tests could identify Alzheimer's disease sooner.(News Notes)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... People over age 55 should be given memory tests to help identify whether they are at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to Professor Tonmoy Sharma, head of the Clinical Neuroscience Research Centre (CNRC) in Dartford, U.K....

Atypicals.(From the FDA)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... FDA and manufacturers announce revised warning sections for atypical antipsychotic medications describing the risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes in patients taking these medications AstraZeneca--quetiapine (Seroquel) Bristol-Myers...

Injectable olanzapine.(From the FDA)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Also in March, the FDA approved a fast-acting, injectable form of olanzapine. This new formulation, Zyprexa(R) IntraMuseular, is the first medication in its class to be indicated for the treatment of acute agitation associated with both bipolar...

Bupropion generic.(From the FDA)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The FDA has granted final marketing approval to IMPAX Laboratories, Inc.'s Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for its generic version of bupropion (Wellbutrin SR) 150 mg controlled release tablets, IMPAX announced. The FDA had previously...

Risperidone-induced sleep-related eating disorder.(Case Report)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Patient: Male (68 y/o) Medication: Risperidone (Risperdal) Comment: A 68-year-old man with DSM-IV defined psychotic disorder due to vascular dementia entered a psychiatric clinic for evaluation because of profound psychotic symptoms....