Brown University Psychopharmacology Update articles from May 2009

Brown University Psychopharmacology Update archives from May 2009

Experts examine publication bias and antidepressant efficacy.(Antidepressants)(Report)
May 1, 2009... In a commentary published in the February 2009 American Journal of Psychiatry, Sanjay J. Mathew, M.D., and Dennis E. Charney, M.D., of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, examined the notion of publication bias...

Meta-analysis shows teen suicide risk nearly double for SSRIs.(SSRIs and Suicide)(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)(Report)
May 1, 2009... Age may be a moderator of suicide risk and treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), according to a meta-analysis of observational studies. Adolescents treated with SSRIs had nearly double the risk of attempted or completed...

Effect of paroxetine, desvenlafaxine on desipramine pharmacokinetics.(Drug-Drug Interactions)(Report)
May 1, 2009... Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) in general have a very good safety profile, they have variable inhibitory effects on the activities of different metabolic enzymes,...

Comparing aripiprazole and olanzapine for schizophrenia.(What's New in Research)(Report)
May 1, 2009... Wolfgang W. Fleischhacker, M.D., and colleagues designed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind study in adults with schizophrenia to investigate the novel pharmacology of aripiprazole (Abilify) as compared to olanzapine (Zyprexa). One of few...

Tough choices on atypicals.(Editor's Commentary)(Report)
May 1, 2009... We don't usually report on industry-funded studies comparing two drugs in the same class. Such studies generally tend to confirm what we already suspect: both drugs are roughly equivalent in efficacy and safety. If there are efficacy...

Clonidine for hyperarousal in BPD with or without PTSD.(News Notes)(Report)
May 1, 2009... In their recently published pilot study, Andreas Ziegenhorn, M.D., and colleagues investigated whether clonidine (Catapres, Duraclon) was effective in reducing hyperarousal and various measures of psychopathology in patients with borderline...

Vilazodone phase III clinical trial finds efficacy, tolerability in MDD.(News Notes)
May 1, 2009... In a recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial, Karl Rickels, M.D., and colleagues found that vilazodone produced a clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms (p=0.001 compared with placebo on the...

Possible case of olanzapine-induced "restless arms syndrome".(Case Report)
May 1, 2009... Patient: Male, 24 years old Medications: risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), amisulpride (Solian) Comment: A 24-year-old man with chronic paranoid schizophrenia in relapse with delusions and hallucinations was treated for 3...

Warning letter for divalproex advertising.(From the FDA)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... The FDA has sent a warning letter to Abbot Laboratories regarding a flashcard promoting Depakote (divalproex sodium delayed-release) and Depakote ER (divalproex sodium extendedrelease) tablets. According to the FDA, the flashcard is misleading...

Citalopram HBr (generic).(YOUR MEDICATION INFORMATION)(Drug overview)
May 1, 2009... Celexa (brand) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Classification: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Common Usage: Citalopram is indicated for the treatment of depression. The safety and efficacy of citalopram has not been established...