The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from September 2007

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from September 2007

Escitalopram may help prevent relapse of depression in elderly patients.(Focus on Depression)
September 1, 2007... Escitalopram is effective in preventing relapse of major depressive disorder (MDD) in elderly patients, according to findings from a European multi-center, clinical trial. The 2-phase study began with 12 weeks of open-label escitalopram,...

Duloxetine found effective for elderly patients with major depressive disorder.(Depression)
September 1, 2007... A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that 8 weeks of treatment with duloxetine proved superior to placebo on a composite score of cognitive functions for elderly patients with recurrent major depressive disorder...

Evaluating the evidence for SSRI-induced pancreatitis.(Adverse Events)(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors )
September 1, 2007... The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have become the drugs of choice for management of depression and other neuropsychiatric illnesses. Although they have a very good safety profile, other less known adverse effects, including...

Low-dose aspirin does not slow cognitive decline in older women.(What's New in Research)
September 1, 2007... A large-scale women's health study has found that the long-term use of low-dose aspirin does not provide cognitive benefits to older women. The randomized, placebo-controlled study investigated the use of low-dose aspirin for the primary...

Effects of farampator on memory performance in healthy older adults.(What's New in Research)
September 1, 2007... A study investigating the effects of farampator on memory and information processing in healthy, older adults, found that the ampakine farampator at 500 mg a day improved short-term memory but seemed to impair episodic memory. Post hoc analyses...

Hallucinations and sleepiness reported in patients with early PD.(News Note)(parkinson's disease)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD) treated with levodopa or pramipexole reported higher than expected development or worsening of hallucinations, somnolence and edema, according to a study published in the July issue of Neurology....

Dystonia following therapy with bupropion and St. John's Wort.(Case Reports)(Case study)
September 1, 2007... Patient: Female, Caucasian, 58 y.o. Medications: bupropion (Wellbutrin), St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum), estradiol and medroxyprogesterone replacement therapy (Tridestra), parenteral and oral chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton),...

[check] Rivastigmine transdermal patch approved.(From the FDA)
September 1, 2007... On July 9, 2007, the rivastigmine transdermal patch (Exelon Patch) received its first worldwide approval in the U.S. for treating mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). The FDA also approved the rivastigmine patch for mild to moderate...

Pregabalin (Lyrica) approved for fibromyalgia.(From the FDA)
September 1, 2007... The FDA has approved pregabalin (Lyrica), the first drug to be approved in the U.S. for treating fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by pain, fatigue and sleep problems. Manufactured by Pfizer, pregabalin reduces pain and improves daily...

Rivastigmine transdermal (generic): EXELON PATCH (brand).(YOUR MEDICATION INFORMATION)
September 1, 2007... Classification: Rivastigmine is a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor. Common Usage: The rivastigmine transdermal system is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimers type, and mild to moderate dementia...