The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update articles from September 2008

The Brown University Geriatric Psychopharmacology Update archives from September 2008

Dimebon found safe and effective in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.(Alzheimer's Disease)
September 1, 2008... Dimebon has been found safe and effective in treating mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a 6-month controlled trial with a 6-month blinded extension. The investigational drug, once approved in Russia as an antihistamine, was found to...

Consensus statement on agitation covers safety issues, nonpharmacologic care.(Dementia)(Conference notes)
September 1, 2008... Participants at a consensus conference on treating elderly patients with dementia-related symptoms of severe agitation and aggression agreed that there is a need for an FDA-approved indication for treating these symptoms, even in the absence of...

Heart failure associated with duloxetine.(Adverse Events)
September 1, 2008... Duloxetine (Cymbalta) is an SSRI and SNRI approved for the management of major depression as well as diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. It inhibits the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. In theory, the increased norepinephrine...

Effects of aripiprazole on AD nursing-home patients with psychotic symptoms.(What's New in Research)
September 1, 2008... New study findings indicate that aripiprazole (Abilify) did not improve psychotic symptoms in nursing home patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but was beneficial in reducing psychological and behavioral symptoms such as agitation, anxiety...

Cognitively impaired depressed patients may benefit from donepezil augmentation.
September 1, 2008... Preliminary findings from a small pilot study showed short-term improvements in verbal memory with an antidepressant plus donepezil (Aricept) compared with an antidepressant plus placebo. However, donepezil's effects decreased in patients who...

Combined amisulpride and antidepressant therapy for psychotic depression.(News Notes)(Clinical report)
September 1, 2008... Augmenting antidepressants with amisulpride reduced depression and resolved psychotic symptoms in non-demented patients. A randomized, controlled study assigned 11 patients (ages 65-87 years) with psychotic depression to citalopram 2040 mg/day...

Development of tarenflurbil (Flurizan) discontinued.(News Notes)
September 1, 2008... Myriad Genetics announced that its 18month, phase 3 clinical trial of tarenflurbil (Flurizan) in patients with Alzheimer's disease failed to achieve statistical significance on its primary endpoints of cognition and activities of daily living....

Inapproriate sexual behavior induced by fluvoxamine.(Case Report)
September 1, 2008... Patient: Male, 80 years old Medications: Maprotiline (Ludiomil), paroxetine (Paxil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), fluvoxamine (Luvox), donepezil (Aricept), sulpiride ...

Risperidone.(New approvals)
September 1, 2008... The FDA has approved the first generic version of risperidone (Risperdal), manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals, in varying tablet strengths. Prescribing information for the generic version will carry the same safety precautions as Risperdal,...

Methylphenidate.(New approvals)
September 1, 2008... Methylphenidate in an extended-release formulation (Concerta R) has been approved for treating attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. The new approval extends the drug's patient population from children and adolescents to...

Sertraline (generic) Zoloft (brand).(YOUR MEDICATION INFORMATION)
September 1, 2008... Classification: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Common Usage: Sertraline is indicated for treating adults with depression, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), social...