MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'antidepressants'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:50:21 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130959&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F-XRPfFwtasI%2F In the latest ‘damned-if-do, damned-if-you-don’t’ health news: New research says that depression increases a woman’s stroke risk—but taking antidepressants makes the risk even higher. And this is no half-hearted, small-scale study we’re talking about, either; Harvard University researchers looked at the health histories and practices of 80,000 women, beginning in 1976. Between 2000 and 2006, women aged 54 to 79 with no previous stroke history were specifically monitored. Ultimately, depressed women had a 29% greater risk of having a stroke, and depressed women who were taking anti-depressants had a 39% greater stroke risk. So what are the serotonin-challenged among us to do? I suppose, firstly, add stroke risk to the many potential side effects of medicatio... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130959 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:40:45 +0100 5130959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125742&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fincreased-number-of-antidepressants-prescribed-to-patients-without-a-psychiatric-diagnosis%2F2011.08.12 Prescriptions for antidepressants given by nonpsychiatrists to patients without a specific psychiatric disorder increased more than 12% in 12 years, leading to the drug class becoming the third most commonly prescribed, a study found. A study in the August issue of Health Affairs reported that antidepressant prescriptions by doctors who didn’t record a specific psychiatric disorder increased from 59.5% of all prescriptions by nonpsychiatrists in 1996 to 72.7% in 2007. Researchers reviewed data on patients age eighteen or older from the 1996-2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys, a national sample of more than 233,000 office-based visits. The proportion of antidepressants prescribed for patients without a psychiatric diagnosis... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125742 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0100 5125742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107794&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F6pmycmcma9U%2F Almost 80% of antidepressants are prescribed by non-psychiatrists—and almost three-quarters of these prescriptions aren’t accompanied by a formal psychiatric diagnosis, Psych Central reports. Perhaps that sounds like cause for major alarm, but let’s remember that a) primary care doctors may not be psychiatric specialists, but they’re not clueless either, and b) many people don’t have access to, or can’t afford, specialized psychiatric care. For the uninsured, being able to get anti-depressants during a physician visit could be a godsend; even those with insurance may find the added expense of psychiatric care too much (especially if they’re under a plan without good mental health coverage). And what if you just plumb can’t get to a psychiatrist at a given time, but have a p... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107794 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:07:43 +0100 5107794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107601&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F08%2Fantidepressants-overprescribed-in-primary-care%2F Antidepressants have long enjoyed a reputation as being a quick and “easy” treatment for all types of depression — from a mild feeling of being a little down, all the way up to severe, life-debilitating depression. But like all medications, they have side effects and instances where they should not be prescribed. Hence their continued need for a prescription after seeing a doctor. So what does it mean when primary care physicians are handing them out like candy? It suggests that your family doctor doesn’t really understand how antidepressants work, or what they are approved to treat. In short, it suggests that antidepressant medications are being over-prescribed by well-meaning doctors who are simply not using very good judgment. Melissa Healy, writing for the LA T... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107601 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:35:31 +0100 5107601 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5097079&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FphVzT-EualU%2F Should psychiatrists prescribe most antidepressants? And should a patient first be diagnosed with a psychiatric problem before receiving a prescriptionl? Well, nearly 73 percent of antidepressants prescribed in the US in 2007 were generated by doctors who were not psychiatrists, up from nearly 60 percent in 1996. And the percentage of patients prescribed an antidepressant without a psychiatric diagnosis more than doubled to 6.4 percent from 2.5 percent, according to a study in Health Affairs. To be more specific, among primary care providers, antidepressant prescriptions rose from 3.1 percent during that period to 7.1 percent. And among other docs who are not psychiatrists, visits without a psychiatric diagnosis grew from 1.9 percent to 5.8 percent. Meanwhile, antidepressants prescribed wi... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5097079 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:14:09 +0100 5097079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077772&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F28%2F12-weeks-to-feeling-better-try-psychotherapy-today%2F It’s time for psychotherapy to stop beating around in the bushes and get a new marketing campaign going for itself. It’s time for organizations like our own, the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association and others to join together and have people understand a simple, basic message — 12 weeks is all most people need to start feeling better when faced with a mental health issue. Psychotherapy still gets a bad rap because of a basic misunderstanding of the process it entails, or prejudice around thinking that if you need to see a therapist, something’s really wrong with you. It doesn’t have to be this way. Just like the endless pharmaceutical commercials on TV for antidepressants and ADHD medications, psychotherapy could be remindin... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077772 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:06:58 +0100 5077772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069822&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8WFD_ZbuCB4%2F Hello, everyone, and top of the morning to you. Another shiny day is unfolding on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we have much to do. You know, the drill - reading documents, making phone calls, finding interesting tidbits. To prepare, yes, we are downing that mandatory cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Wild Mountain Blueberry. So please join us. Meanwhile, here are some items from around the world. Hope your day goes well and stay in touch… Pfizer’s Zyvox and Antidepressants May Cause Fatal Reaction (Bloomberg News) Valeant Approaches Swedish Drugmaker Mada About A Takeover (Bloomberg News) Abortion Pill Given Via Telemedicine Is Safe And Effective (Reuters) Vertex Says Hepatitis C Drug Combo Works (Reuters) Naeja Pharmaceutical R&D Facility Catches Fire (Cal... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069822 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:41:22 +0100 5069822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062246&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-effective-are-antidepressants%2F2011.07.24 Antidepressant drugs have been getting a bad rap in the media. I’ll just give 3 examples: On the Today show, prominent medical expert Tom Cruise told us Brooke Shields shouldn’t have taken these drugs for her postpartum depression. In Natural News, “Health Ranger” Mike Adams accused pharmaceutical companies and the FDA of covering up negative information about antidepressants, saying it would be considered criminal activity in any other industry. And an article in Newsweek said  “Studies suggest that the popular drugs are no more effective than a placebo. In fact, they may be worse.” Yet psychiatrists are convinced that antidepressants work and are still routinely prescribing them for their patients. Is it all a Big Pharma plot? Who ya gonna believe? Inquiring minds want ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062246 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:00:36 +0100 5062246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051015&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fw1HmzYbzIBY%2F A group of doctors are saying that depression can lead to better mental health. So does that mean those of us who are suffering from depression should just resolve to feeling blue? According to a recent article published in Prevention, maybe. The theory is that pain and sadness during depression has a purpose in our lives and can be a clarifying, healing force. Depression can also be a natural way of getting you to solve important issues in your life, according to Paul Andrews, PhD, an evolutionary biologist at Virginia Commonwealth University: Depression may be nature’s way of telling you to stop and focus on what’s troubling you, so you can move past it and get on with your life. Andrews and his colleague J. Anderson Thomson, MD, a staff psychiatrist at the Student Health Se... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051015 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:01:34 +0100 5051015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036528&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=34844&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheicarusproject.net%2Falternative-treatments%2Fharm-reduction-guide-to-coming-off-meds-greek-translation The Harm Reduction Guide to Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs, published by The Icarus Project and Freedom Center, is now available in Greek - thanks to the dedicated volunteer translation work of Marianna Kefallinou.You can download the Greek version here.Οδηγός Μείωσης της Βλάβης για τη Διακοπή των Ψυχιατρικών Φαρμάκων (Source: The Icarus Project - Navigating the Space Between Brilliance and Madness) The Icarus Project - Navigating the Space Between Brilliance and Madness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036528 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:25:03 +0100 5036528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028849&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FJaj2jx6EZQQ%2F It’s one thing to suspect the psychiatric and pharmaceutical industries of shady ties, and a more frustrating thing entirely to see a University of Pennsylvania professor of psychiatry say colleagues let GlaxoSmithKline add their names to a report they had nothing to do with which “unduly promotes” one of it’s own antidepressant drugs, Paxil. The professor, Jay Amsterdam, claims his co-workers and department chair, essentially, sold their academic credentials to the highest bidder. A letter from his lawyer said “most if not all” of the study’s academic authors never reviewed nor even saw the report before it went to press, and were handpicked by GSK to lend credibility to the over-hyped results of its Paxil study. [Call in Julia Roberts and Denzel—this is the stuff good con... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028849 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:41:27 +0100 5028849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992882&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FFkVQLRYvyAY%2F The Daily Mail just announced a list of items, including spending too much time on your computer, that can trigger depression. As if we need to tell you: Sitting around all day playing World of Warcraft on the internet will make you depressed. (Not to mention, earn you a geeky reputation in your social circle… if you still have one.) In general, their list of depression triggers is pretty straightforward, but there were a couple that surprised us — and one that we have a hard time buying. Here’s our take on each miserable-mood culprit: The Pill — OK, birth control just stinks to begin with. According to research studies, women taking the Pill are almost twice as likely to be depressed as those who don’t. Dr. Ailsa Gebbie, vice-president of the faculty of sexual an... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992882 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:02:47 +0100 4992882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984500&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F29%2Fan-epidemic-of-bad-infographics-depression%2F In an effort to keep trying to get people’s attention in an increasingly attention-deficit world, we get a lot of inquiries for links to websites promoting education programs and other affiliate websites. The latest effort is focused around “infographics,” those graphics made popular by the USA Today newspaper that combines an interesting graphical element with hard data. A well done infographic ostensibly makes data more engaging. A fantastic infographic puts data into proper perspective and gives it valuable context. What these marketing firms send me, however, are not fantastic or even well-done. So in the interests of demonstrating that any infographic can be worse than no infographic, I’m going to critique one of the latest ones to have come across my desk. It&... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984500 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:34:42 +0100 4984500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960242&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FyRR9QNlUqb8%2F Last week, we wrote about research claiming antidepressants could make you more depressed. Italian professor of clinical psychology Giovannia Fava found antidepressants used over long periods of time can actually increase a patient’s chances of relapse more than if they were to take a placebo. Mixed messages on antidepressants and other psychopharmaceuticals seem to be increasingly prevalent. More people than ever are prescribed them—and have a vested interest in selling them. For a fascinating primer on how the psychiatric drug culture we know today came to be, check out this New York Review of Books piece by Marcia Angell. In it, Angell reviews three new books on the psychiatric industry (The Emperor’s New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth, Anatomy of an Epidemic: Mag... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960242 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:43:57 +0100 4960242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934641&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F5g94ZQxb0hY%2F Everyone goes through a time (or two or more) when they’re “down,” but a growing percentage of the world’s population is actually depressed and seeking help for it, often in the form of medication. But new research says that antidepressants could make you sad; apparently, popular meds are often no better than placebos, and could even be worse for patients’ overall happiness in the long-term. Dr. Giovanni Fava, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Bologna in Italy, has examined the effects of antidepressants for over 20 years. His newest study, to be published in the next issue of Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, argues that antidepressants used over long periods of time can actually increase a patient’s c... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934641 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 22:00:22 +0100 4934641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911664&cid=t_100290_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fr6MhbcUATqg%2F Let us highlight a couple of insightful and brief articles in the New York Times and a very powerful analysis in The New York Review of Books; they provide useful clues about Brain Calisthenics, Bilingual Brains, and Debunking Myths on Mental Illness. Brain Calisthenics for Abstract Ideas (NYT): Now, a small group of cognitive scientists is arguing that schools and students could take far more advantage of this same bottom-up ability, called perceptual learning. The brain is a pattern-recognition machine, after all, and when focused properly, it can quickly deepen a person’s grasp of a principle, new studies suggest. The challenge for education, Dr. Kellman added, “is what do we need to do to make this happen efficiently?” Experts develop such sensitive perceptual radar the old-fashi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911664 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:12:58 +0100 4911664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862796&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F1LBPNBAZ-yA%2F A new study from Japan has revealed the possible links between depression and the chemicals found in our blood. The medical research group Human Metabolome Technologies studied the concentration of phosphoric acid in the blood of 66 people. When 31 subjects were diagnosed with depression, the team found that many of them were low in ethanolamine phosphate, which could account for their depression. What are these chemicals? How do they play a role in our feelings? And is this treatable? “Ethanolamine phosphate or Phosphoethanolamine is needed for mitochondria to function normally,” says Dr. Dale Archer, a clinical psychiatrist. “It affects lipid metabolism, which may play a role in depression– and [this new study posits] the theory as to why this may be a marker. Exa... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862796 Wed, 25 May 2011 21:05:27 +0100 4862796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775601&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FEBgixMvO-Qc%2F Back in 2001, the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry published a paper concluding the Paxil antidepressant was “generally well tolerated and effective for major depression in adolescents.” But the study, known as 329, was later discredited amid charges that outcomes were conflated, unflattering results were omitted and ghostwriting was involved. The details became known more than two years ago as documents emerged from investigations by UK regulators (look here) and the former New York Attorney General (read this), as well as lawsuits charging GlaxoSmithKline hid the risks of its Paxil pill. More recently, there was a call for the paper to be retracted (read here). One of the 22 co-authors was Stan Kutcher, a physician who is running for the Canadian par... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775601 Mon, 02 May 2011 14:49:06 +0100 4775601 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753887&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FzZo23Y8nGPU%2F Arianna Huffington isn’t known for her mental health advice, but last week at an Urban Zen event, “The Politics of Sustainable Wellness,” put on by Donna Karan, the media mogul sounded off about what makes her happy and ultimately, keeps her in good mental and physical health. So what makes one of Forbes’ Most Influential Women in Media feel good? Sleep, mostly. And a few things she likes to call her “joy triggers,” too. The event was third in a series of talks hosted by Dr. Frank Lipman, M.D., called “Conversations in Sustainable Health.” (We’ve posted about the first two here and here.) While past talks have focused on research and medicine, Huffington talked more about the practicalities — both political and personal — of getting... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753887 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:29:16 +0100 4753887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753891&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FBVk7sxxWYy0%2F At Blisstree, we’re all about trying to get happier and healthier in order to live better, and we hope to help you do the same every day. But, of course, it’s not always easy to know how to make that intangible dream of happiness a reality. And even if you do know how to do it, it’s pretty challenging to keep all the parts of your life in balance so that often-elusive health and happiness last as long as possible. So I asked M.D., board-certified psychiatrist, and Blisstree contributor Dale Archer to give us ten steps we can take to promote and achieve lasting happiness in our own lives (and these are tactics he actually shares with his patients). So what are we waiting for? Let’s get happy — and healthy. 1. Exercise. Even if you’re not a gym rat, walkin... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753891 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:50:20 +0100 4753891 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753973&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6I6iFNkZiNw%2F Hello, everyone. Another shiny day is unfolding on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we have successfully begun hustling the short people off to the local school house. As for us, we have a busy day planned since we will host a webinar later about pharma ad agencies and procurement issues (look here). Meanwhile, here are some tidbits to get you started. Hope today is a productive one and see you soon… Merck Hep C Drug Boosted Cure Rates In Trials: FDA (Bloomberg News) Abbott Trilipix & Statin Combo Can Cause Heart Problems: FDA (Reuters) Painkillers Make Antidepressants Less Effective: Study (The Globe & Mail) Cardinal Health Pays $8M To Settle Kickback Claims (Kansas City Business Journal) Mitsui Buys CMO Operations In China (Outsourcing Pharma) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753973 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:03:01 +0100 4753973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693442&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FXZ5qNhmCk58%2F Blisstree’s no enemy of antidepressants when you need them; in fact, some of us are of the opinion that the demise of talk therapy might be good for depressed patients, who seriously just need a psychiatrist to meet their needs. But proponents of functional medicine, like Dr. Mark Hyman, say that attitude isn’t the best approach. Instead of treating depression like a Prozac deficiency, he says, we need to figure out what’s causing our mood shifts (and other chronic symptoms) in the first place. “Just knowing you have depression isn’t helpful,” he said at a recent event hosted by New York City’s Urbanzen Foundation. He and other proponents of functional medicine say that diagnosing patients with a disease doesn’t bring them any closer to a cur... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693442 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:05:22 +0100 4693442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684758&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FDD9bzsNsVtU%2F Is there a link between antidepressants and breast and ovarian cancer? A new meta-analysis of 61 trials identified a connection in nearly 33 percent of the epidemiological and pre-clinical studies conducted between 1965 and 2010 found an association between cancer and antidepressants. And the link was stronger among women using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Moreover, the study found researchers with industry ties were significantly less likely than researchers without those affiliations to conclude antidepressants increase the risk of breast or ovarian cancer. The authors of the meta-analysis, which was published this week in PLoS Medicine, suggest the findings raise public health and policy issues, “because there is increasing evidence that financial ties among... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684758 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:29:41 +0100 4684758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684432&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F05%2Fcoming-to-america-can-increase-depression-anxiety%2F I chalk this up to the category, “This is news how, exactly?” Here’s the finding in a nutshell — “After arrival in the United States, [Mexican] migrants had a significantly higher risk for first onset of any depressive or anxiety disorder than did non-migrant family members of migrants in Mexico,” the authors report. Wow, surprising. You mean going to a foreign country, not necessarily knowing anyone, not necessarily having any job or job prospects, and not necessarily knowing the language can negatively impact your mental health? Do tell. The researchers “compared a sample of Mexican-born migrants (259 men and 295 women) after their arrival in the U.S. with a sample of non-migrants in Mexico (904 men and 1,615 women) on their risk for first onset of a de... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684432 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:21:19 +0100 4684432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4677114&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FC_g_bkDy5kM%2F Hello, everyone, and welcome to the working week. We hope the weekend was relaxing. Now, of course, the routine of meetings and deadlines resume. This calls, of course, for a cup or two of stimulation. So please join us as we indulge. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits to get you started. Have a great day and keep us in mind if you hear something interesting. See you later… Dendreon Faces Investor Uprising Led By Small Shareholder (Xconomy) Vivus Diet Pill Has Heart Benefits (Bloomberg News) BASF Raises API And Excipient Prices 10 Percent (InPharma Technologist) Antidepressants Linked To Narrowed Arteries In Older Men (Bloomberg News) Glaxo Faces Talent War In Emerging Markets (Bloomberg News) Cipla Seeks Voluntary License To Make Merck AIDS Drug (MoneyControl) FDA Staff Backs Efficac... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4677114 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:48:39 +0100 4677114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4676878&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2011%2F04%2F04%2Fswitching-psychopharmacological-drugs-switchwiki%2F The most useful wiki for physicians, this SwitchWiki. In this wiki you can find detailed information about switching from one antidepressant to the other, the same for antipsychotics and how to combine mood stabilizers. You can also calculate the conversion from a benzodiazepine to diazepam equivalents. Both for the antidepressants and anti psychotics switch tables are made. Clicking on the appropriate switch continues to an explanation and switch schedule with links to Medscape, Pubmed, PubChem, Wikipedia and several other websites for more information. The benzodiazepines calculator can help you switch from one to another benzodiazepine. This SwitchWiki is made by Walter Broekema. He is one of the editors of Psychiatrynet.eu. You can read more about the background of this SwitchWiki he... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4676878 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 05:12:41 +0100 4676878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642677&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F26%2Fwhen-should-i-come-off-my-antidepressant-6-things-to-consider%2F The question of whether or not you should start taking antidepressants is complex and difficult to answer. But even fuzzier is the question of when or if you should stop. Last May, NPR ran a piece called Coming Off Antidepressants Can Be Tricky Business. Joanne Silberner writes: Several top psychiatrists say there’s just not enough data to say for sure when to try coming off an antidepressant. Drug companies generally test their new products for a few months or up to a year. They don’t spend much time looking into how to taper off their products. The dense informational inserts that come with prescription drugs have a lot of information on how to take the product, but no information on how to stop. According to the Johns Hopkins Depression and Anxiety White Papers, antidepress... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642677 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 12:58:36 +0100 4642677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592601&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FZ_lBM5Ze7as%2F photo: Thinkstock A couple weeks ago I wrote a Blisstree post called Drug Addiction: I Was an Ambien Junkie and Didn’t Know It. A few days later, I was talking to Dale Archer, an M.D. and board-certified general psychiatrist, about another post (Drug Addiction on A&E’s Heavy: There’s No Such Thing as a Partial Relapse), and we got to chatting about my Ambien tale of woe. He had read my post, and had taken particular interest in the part where I said that I could’ve sworn my GP at the time had told me that Ambien was not an addictive sleep aid. Turns out, my doctor later said she’d actually told me that it was, in fact, addictive. (Or, at least, she claimed to have told me that.) At the time, I thought maybe I was going crazy (perhaps as a result of sleep d... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592601 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:32:51 +0100 4592601 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575191&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FqXjRVBrOMg4%2F photo: Thinkstock I’m anti-overmedicating. I’m pro-talk therapy. Or so I thought. Thanks to Dr. Freud, I’ve paid for my fair share of talk therapy sessions in my adult life (from clinical psychologists and social workers), and, thanks to the pharmaceutical industry, I’ve taken my fair share of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications (from a psychiatrist). Now, I don’t think talk therapy and medications are mutually exclusive; nor do I think that one is inherently better or more effective than the other. When employed in tandem, they can be a winning combo for some patients. But that’s the problem: What works for one patient doesn’t necessarily work for another. And in recent years, fewer and fewer psychiatrists in the U.S. have been offering t... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575191 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:14:45 +0100 4575191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4545012&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F03%2Fdoes-semen-make-women-happy%2F Seems to me the basic conflict between men and women, sexually, is that men are like firemen.  To men sex is an emergency, and no matter what we are doing we can be ready in two minutes.  Women, on the other hand, are like fire.  They are very exciting, but the conditions have to be exactly right for it to occur.” ~ Jerry Seinfeld I just couldn’t decide if he was really sponge worthy. ~ Elaine, Fictional character on the TV show. Seinfeld There seems to be rather compelling evidence that semen may be a natural antidepressant for women.  The intriguing feature about this finding is that it emerged from research with lesbians. In the September issue of Scientific American an article (see source below) focused on the many virtues of semen.  No kidding.  It would seem an art... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4545012 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:10:54 +0100 4545012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4507576&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fhf6Mo6pHvdw%2F The FDA issued a safety alert today about the risks of exposure of nearly two dozen antipsychotics to newborns when the drugs are taken by women during pregnancy. Specifically, the pregnancy section of drug labeling for the entire class was updated to include info about the potential risk for abnormal muscle movements (extrapyramidal signs or EPS) and withdrawal symptoms in newborns. In searching its adverse events database, the agency has, so far, identified 69 cases of neonatal EPS or withdrawal through October 29, 2008, involving all antipsychotics. The symptoms of EPS and withdrawal in newborns may include agitation, abnormally increased or decreased muscle tone, tremor, sleepiness, severe difficulty breathing, and difficulty in feeding. And symptoms varied in severity: in some newborn... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4507576 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:28:04 +0100 4507576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4507583&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FV52maQaohbs%2F Hello, everyone, and nice to see you again. We hope you had a relaxing weekend and feel refreshed. Now, of course, the time has come to resume the routine of meetings and deadlines. To cope, we are reaching for the mandatory cup of stimulation and invite you to join us. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits to get you started. Hope your day goes well and drop us a line if you hear something of interest… Forest Labs To Pay $1.2B For Clinical Data And An Antidepressant (Reuters) Gilead To Buy Calistoga Pharma For $375M (Silicon Valley Business Journal) Medtronic To Eliminate Up to 2,000 Jobs (Bloomberg News) Elan Reports 10 More PML Cases With Tysabri (Irish Examiner) Merck Vioxx Settlement Causes Money Fight Among Lawyers (Bloomberg News) Sanofi Looks For Generics And OTC Brands In India ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4507583 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:59:38 +0100 4507583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495401&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F19%2Fcrusaders-highly-deserved-recognition%2F Surely, one of the proudest moment’s in Bob Fiddaman’s quest for justice in the eternal fight against SSRI’s . As Bob writes in his blog “What could piss off GlaxoSmithKline more than Bob Fiddaman getting an award for basically highlighting their dark history?” Way to go Fiddy!!!!!! [Click the pic to read the full story] [...] (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495401 Sat, 19 Feb 2011 10:00:57 +0100 4495401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4478074&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F14%2Fssri-comparison-facts%2F Comparison of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Efficacy and effectiveness Clinical trials comparing one SSRI with another indicate that drugs in this class are equally efficacious. Each antidepressant produces approximately a 60% overall response rate (ie, at least a 50% reduction in symptoms as a result of treatment). However, some differences in the SSRIs efficacy [...] (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4478074 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:05:06 +0100 4478074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450293&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhos-getting-antidepressants-and-why%2F2011.02.08 Reuters Health reports that more than a quarter of Americans taking antidepressants have never been diagnosed with any of the conditions the drugs are typically used to treat, according to new research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. An excerpt: “We cannot be sure that the risks and side effects of antidepressants are worth the benefit of taking them for people who do not meet criteria for major depression,” said Jina Pagura, a psychologist and currently a medical student at the University of Manitoba in Canada, who worked on the study. “These individuals are likely approaching their physicians with concerns that may be related to depression, and could include symptoms like trouble sleeping, poor mood, difficulties in relationships, etc.,” she added... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450293 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:00:43 +0100 4450293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419409&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F31%2Fgsk-gives-in-last-minute-deal-in-avandia-suit%2F A federal court in Philadelphia was all set to hear a liability lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline today, but an 11th-hour settlement took that case right off the docket. GSK made a deal with the family of Avandia patient James Burford to resolve claims that the diabetes drug caused his fatal heart attack. GSK recently took a $3.5 [...] (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419409 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:21:31 +0100 4419409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411700&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F28%2Fnice-updates-six-year-old-guidance-on-chronic-anxiety%2F 26th January 2011 Guidance on managing generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults is being updated for the first time since 2004. GAD is a common condition with chronic, excessive worry about a number of different events associated with heightened tension. It can vary in its severity and complexity for each person. The National Institute for [...] (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411700 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:59:31 +0100 4411700 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4406012&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F27%2Ftroops-cant-heal-what-they-cant-feel%2F Troops can’t heal what they can’t feel Paxil, Zoloft, Fluoxetine, Sertaline …… Each medication comes with warnings but no one seems to be paying attention to them anymore than they paid attention to the fact that most of these medications include instructions that a doctor monitor the patients. In other words, sending them back into [...] (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4406012 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:44:34 +0100 4406012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4406013&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F26%2Fready-get-set-go-deja-vu-strikes-again%2F Reps Hired for Viibyd Launch …….. Now that Clinical Data has an FDA approval in hand, it’s gearing up to grab a piece of the $12 billion antidepressant market. The company is hiring sales reps and rolling out a marketing campaign to support its new drug Viibryd, hailed as the first SSRI without troublesome sexual [...] (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4406013 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:09:59 +0100 4406013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399795&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F26%2Fcould-fish-oil-help-lower-your-antidepressant-dose%2F Although the jury’s not out yet, there’s mounting evidence that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil can help some patients with depression. Here’s a short article about a recent study on fish oil combined with low doses of two different kinds of antidepressants, Prozac and Remeron. The results suggest that some patients who struggle with side [...] (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399795 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:08:51 +0100 4399795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399796&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F26%2Fpotential-ssrisnri-withdrawal-symptoms%2F The SSRI/SNRI symptoms are originally from this website on Effexor withdrawal. ANTIDEPRESSANT WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS. (SSRI/SNRI) 1. Crying spells 2. Worsened mood 3. Low energy (fatigue, lethargy, malaise) 4. Trouble concentrating 5. Insomnia or trouble sleeping 6. Change in appetite 7. Suicidal thoughts 8. Suicide attempts 9. Anxious, nervous, tense 10. Panic attacks (racing heart, breathless) [...] (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399796 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:02:06 +0100 4399796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399797&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F26%2Fgad-and-ssris%2F NICE Guidance 2011 GPs should not offer benzodiazepines or antipsychotics to patients presenting with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), according to updated guidance from NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) issued today. Filed under: SSRIs Tagged: Antidepressants (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399797 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:45:08 +0100 4399797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4455224&cid=t_100290_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F26%2Fjournal-of-the-medical-association-2010-vol-304-no-3%2F The objective of this article is to determine the efficacy and tolerability of 10 to 20 mg/d escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in alleviating the frequency, severity, and bother of menopausal hot flushes. The article concludes that among healthy women, the use of escitalopram (10-20 mg/d) compared with placebo resulted in fewer and less severe menopausal hot flushes at 8 weeks of follow-up. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Athens Password, E-Journals Tagged: Antidepressants, Menopausal Symptoms, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, SSRI, United States (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4455224 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:21:24 +0100 4455224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411486&cid=t_100290_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F26%2Fjournal-of-the-medical-association-2010-vol-304-no-3%2F The objective of this article is to determine the efficacy and tolerability of 10 to 20 mg/d escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in alleviating the frequency, severity, and bother of menopausal hot flushes. The article concludes that among healthy women, the use of escitalopram (10-20 mg/d) compared with placebo resulted in fewer and less severe menopausal hot flushes at 8 weeks of follow-up. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Antidepressants, Menopausal Symptoms, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, SSRI, United States (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411486 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:21:24 +0100 4411486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399463&cid=t_100290_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F26%2Fjournal-of-the-medical-association-2010-vol-304-no-3%2F The objective of this article is to determine the efficacy and tolerability of 10 to 20 mg/d escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in alleviating the frequency, severity, and bother of menopausal hot flushes. The article concludes that among healthy women, the use of escitalopram (10-20 mg/d) compared with placebo resulted in fewer and less severe menopausal hot flushes at 8 weeks of follow-up. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Antidepressants, Menopausal Symptoms, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, SSRI, United States (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399463 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:21:24 +0100 4399463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399798&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F25%2Fglaxo-avandia-settlement-latest-news%2F Oh Dear!!  GSK in the spotlight a lot this week. Reports said Monday thatGlaxoSmithKline is bound to face a multi-district litigation amounting to an estimated $3.4 billion against its anti-diabetes drug, Avandia. According to the reports, a number of pending litigations against Avandia, an oral anti-diabetic agent which acts primarily by increasing insulin sensitivity, are filed in different states [...] (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399798 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:15:04 +0100 4399798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394659&cid=t_100290_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FNCYa5f1vYrI%2F News That May Make Depression Sufferers Happier: Today the FDA approved Viibryd, a new SSRI that apparently causes fewer sexual side effects in patients than other similar antidepressants. (Health Key) Post from: BlissTree (Source: Genetics and Health) Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394659 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:30:33 +0100 4394659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394751&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FCvf7cwE0jD4%2F Hello, everyone, and nice to see you again. We hope your weekend was relaxing and refreshing. Now, of course, the time has come to resume the routine as those meetings and deadlines beckon. We know the feeling. To cope, we are brewing our usual cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Pumpkin Spice - and we invite you to join us. Meanwhile, here are some interesting tidbits to help you along. Hope your day goes well and do stay in touch… Supreme Court Rejects Vanderbilt Bid On Lilly Cialis Patent (Indianapolis Star) Glaxo Stopped Running Levitra Ads In Late 2009 (Dow Jones) EU Price Cuts And US Reform Weigh On Drugmakers (Reuters) Sanofi Extends Genzyme Bid To February 15 (Bloomberg News) China Health Deal To Boost US Pharma Exports (Pharma Times) Families Drop Case Against Epilepsy ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394751 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:57:03 +0100 4394751 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394513&cid=t_100290_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fa-tetralogy-of-science-news.html Four more picks from the latest science news by David Bradley Tales of the unexpected: a night with Tim Radford – My mentor at The Guardian, Tim Radford, told tales of science writing at a special event last week and warned the audience that the public can be very squeamish about new scientific practices, whether it is test-tube babies or heart transplants. This reaction, he warns us with his long view of how societies adapt to science, is a fleeting one. Reboxetine doesn’t work – Reboxetine is not approved for the drug market in the US, but is prescribed elsewhere. Now, a German study reveals that this antidepressant doesn't really work, but that's not the only problem, there are issues with the way drugs are tested highlighted by this finding. You see, reboxe... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394513 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:00:14 +0100 4394513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386438&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F22%2Fpossible-legal-action-quote-from-10-years-ago%2F Sarah Boseley, health editor The Guardian, Monday 10 December 2001 10.15 GMT More than 60 people in Britain who say they have become hooked on the anti-depressant Seroxat – a drug in the Prozac class – are exploring the possibility of legal action against the pharmaceutical company which they claim failed to warn doctors that [...] (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386438 Sat, 22 Jan 2011 22:50:21 +0100 4386438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4355895&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F16%2Fefficacy-of-antidepressants-in-adults%2F Paper written by Joanna Moncrieff, Irving Kirsch and published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) 16/07/2005 Summary points Recent meta-analyses show selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have no clinically meaningful advantage over placebo. Claims that antidepressants are more effective in more severe conditions have little evidence to support them. Methodological artefacts may account for the small degree [...] (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4355895 Sun, 16 Jan 2011 14:08:33 +0100 4355895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4349676&cid=t_100290_140_f&fid=35772&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshutah.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F14%2Fantidepressants-exposed-2006%2F This really is a must watch!!! As my colleague wrote “What a guy!” David Healy is a psychiatrist and is currently a professor in Psychological Medicine at Cardiff University School of Medicine, Wales.   He is also the director of North Wales School of Psychological Medicine. (Source: SEROXAT WEBLOG) SEROXAT WEBLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4349676 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 19:02:50 +0100 4349676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266268&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FATItVCZMAC0%2F For years, there were contentious debates about links between certain prescription meds, notably antidepressants, and suicidal behavior. Now, the focus is turning to violent behavior directed toward others. And a new study is linking 31 widely prescribed drugs - most notably, the Chantix anti-smoking pill - with 1,527 serious acts of violence, such as physical abuse, physical assault and homicide. The study, which was published in PLoS One, identified 484 drugs that accounted for 780,169 serious adverse event reports of all kinds, including 1,937 cases meeting the violence criteria determined by the researchers. There were 387 reports of homicide, 404 physical assaults, 27 cases indicating physical abuse, 896 homicidal ideation reports and 223 cases described as violence-related symptoms. ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266268 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:31:34 +0100 4266268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249057&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftreatment-resistant-depression-new-insights%2F2010.12.10 Only one-third of people with major depression achieve remission after trying one antidepressant. When the first medication doesn’t adequately relieve symptoms, next step options include taking a new drug along with the first, or switching to another drug. With time and persistence, nearly seven in 10 adults with major depression eventually find a treatment that works. Of course, that also means that the remaining one-third of people with major depression cannot achieve remission even after trying multiple options. Experts are hunting for ways to understand the cause of persistent symptoms. In recent years, one theory in particular has gained traction: that many people with hard-to-treat major depression actually suffer from bipolar disorder. However, a paper published online this week i... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249057 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:00:24 +0100 4249057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4245599&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FLGMgBV1AvCs%2F One of the most widely covered and hotly debated cases over the extent to which antidepressants may cause violent behavior has drawn to sad and quiet ending. Christopher Pittman, 21, has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the grisly killings of his grandparents in 2001, for which he was sentenced to 30 years in a trial in 2005. At the time of the killings, Pittman was 12 years old and his case attracted wide attention not only because of his age and the 30-year sentence he received, but because his lawyers blamed Zoloft, the Pfizer antidepressant, for his violent behavior. The trial played out against a backdrop in which several drugmakers were already grappling with increased warnings that their antidepressants were linked to suicidal behavior and thoughts. An effort to have Pitt... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4245599 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 20:06:30 +0100 4245599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133870&cid=t_100290_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FWWshtIuqWME%2F Post from: BlissTree (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133870 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:15:46 +0100 4133870 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4065580&cid=t_100290_137_f&fid=39091&url=http%3A%2F%2Falzheimmers.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fantidepressants-and-suicide.html Popular hype. do they increase risk of suicide? Not a new concept, been around since antidepressants were around. Yet some seem to find antidepressants more sinister than depression, schizophrenia, ptsd, hmmm they all have an increased risk of suicide right. Generally untreated mental illness can have a fatal outcome. Sometimes it is just really debilitating, and causes a lot of suffering. so we have mixed reviews on antidepressants, some studies showing a slight increase in suicidal risk when on these meds.Here is a fact, meds are not there to hurt people or make them worse or make somebody kill themselves. There is very little data on if and how many lives antidepressants save. I mean think about it, how can we really research that. Not to mention the fact that there is more media hype o... Caregiver Survival: I Hate Alzheimers blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4065580 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 21:23:00 +0100 4065580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045365&cid=t_100290_137_f&fid=39091&url=http%3A%2F%2Falzheimmers.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fsome-things-you-may-not-know-about.html Antidepressants have been around for fifty years. The first one was imipramine. How they work on the brain and central nervous system has not really evolved  much over the last fifty years. Our understanding of why and how they work has evolved, and the bottom line is we still don't know exactly why or how they work. They tend to effect neurotransmitters in the brain, that is the chemical connections between nerves. The three big neurotransmitter we know the most about are serotonin, norepinepherine and dopamine. The old and most of the newer antidepressants inhibit reuptake of these neurotransmitters into the pre-synaptic nerve. The original theory on why they work was related to the fact that you kept more serotonin or norepi around and this somehow helped treat depression. Then in ... Caregiver Survival: I Hate Alzheimers blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045365 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:22:00 +0100 4045365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003436&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FebX3i3LnNno%2F Suicide has become a big issue in drug development in recent years. Consider the controversy over links to various antidepressants, notably in youngsters, and then the spate of reports involving meds for epilepsy, obesity, acne and smoking cessation (see here, here, here and here). The FDA, however, is concerned the signals largely stemmed from retrospective meta-analyses and spontaneous adverse event reports. And so the agency is considering a more deliberate approach toward clinical study and has issued a guidance with this explanation: “Given the wide range of drugs involved, it is reasonable to consider whether prospective assessments for suicidality should be included in clinical trials involving at least selected drugs for non-psychiatric indications.” “There are tw... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003436 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:02:45 +0100 4003436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994012&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F22%2Fantidepressants-useless-an-interview-with-glenn-treisman%2F I’m still bothered by all the hype awhile back about antidepressants not working any better than sugar pills (otherwise known as placebo) because I know that the people who need treatment — possibly those that will go on to take their lives — read that story and decided there was no hope in medicine. That’s why I like to publish insightful articles like the one I found in John Hopkin’s newsletter, “Hopkins Brain Wise.” They included an interview with Glenn Treisman, professor of psychiatry and internal medicine who is best known internationally for his care of HIV-infected patients who also suffer from a psychiatric illness. Here’s the interview… Q. These studies are dangerous, you say. Dr. Treisman: Ten to 20 percent of people with ma... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994012 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:30:52 +0100 3994012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3954307&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F10%2Fstard-results-re-analyzed-but%2F At the end of August, a small journal by the name of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics published an article that sought to re-analyze the data published in the groundbreaking $35 million STAR*D clinical study. The new analysis suggested that the STAR*D researchers weren’t as forthcoming about some of their results and methodological choices as they should have been. This led to an overstatement of their results, according to the new study’s researchers. STAR*D was a significant antidepressant milestone study, because it was government-funded (not industry-funded), had a very large sample size, followed patients for a year, and was led by a team of stellar researchers. In other words, it is the gold standard as far as studies go. If STAR*D couldn’t find much significance fo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3954307 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 10:15:10 +0100 3954307 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3973119&cid=t_100290_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation%2FwAgT%2F%7E3%2F3XEILuaqAG4%2F Going slower is better. Patients’ risks for relapse increase when lithium or antipsychotic medications are discontinued rapidly rather than gradually. To compare rapid (1–7 days) versus slow ( 14 days) discontinuation of antidepressants, researchers in Sardinia followed 398 patients with recurrent major depressive disorder (n=224), panic disorder (n=75), bipolar II disorder (n=62), or bipolar I disorder (n=37). Follow-up lasted at least 1 year (mean, 2.8 years; mean length of antidepressant treatment, 8.5 months). In this observational study, the treating clinicians or the patients had chosen to discontinue medications when patients were clinically well; antidepressants were withdrawn rapidly in 188 patients and gradually in 210. Rapid discontinuation was associated with a signific... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3973119 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:49:32 +0100 3973119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942792&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdepression-in-preschoolers%2F2010.09.07 The New York Times Magazine recently featured an article on preschooler depression. Pamela Paul wrote: Diagnosis of any mental disorder at this young age is subject to debate. No one wants to pathologize a typical preschooler’s tantrums, mood swings and torrent of developmental stages. Grandparents are highly suspicious; parents often don’t want to know. “How many times have you heard, ‘They’ll grow out of it’ or ‘That’s just how he is’?” says Melissa Nishawala, a child psychiatrist at the New York University Child Study Center. And some in the field have reservations, too. Classifying preschool depression as a medical disorder carries a risk of disease-mongering. “Given the influence of Big Pharma, we have to be sure that every time a child’s ice cream falls off t... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3942792 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3942792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3881090&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fcymbalta-sweet-roi-for-chronic-pain.html One new indication for pain = $500 Million in additional sales!Once a drug is developed for a single indication, gaining approval for additional indications can be sweet icing on the profit cake.As an example, take Cymbalta, which was originally approved in 2004 for adults with major depression. Later the FDA granted Lilly, the company that manufactures Cymbalta, approval to market Cymbalta for treating nerve pain in diabetics, GAD (ie, "generalized anxiety disorder"; see "eGAD! How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Cymbalta!") and fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by chronic fatigue and muscle and joint pain.Now, as reported in this Bloomberg article ("Lilly’s Cymbalta Helps Chronic Pain in U.S. Review"), Cymbalta may be approved for chronic lower back and knee pain, an indicati... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3881090 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:54:00 +0100 3881090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808651&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fwill-changing-your-lifestyle-cure-your-depression%2F photo: Thinkstock Dr. Steve Ilardi, a clinical psychologist, is convinced that rather than taking drugs, people who suffer from depression should just change their lifestyles. He claims that by eating foods rich in omega-3s, getting enough sun and sleep, exercising regularly, and doing something meaningful with their time, people will be cured of their depression. We’re not convinced. Some people have chemical imbalances that require medical attention, often in the form of antidepressants. If a little sun and fun were all it took to cure people of debilitating depression, then it probably wouldn’t be so hard for millions of people to live with. via Natural News Post from: BlissTree Will Changing Your Lifestyle Cure Your Depression? (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808651 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:28:04 +0100 3808651 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3794907&cid=t_100290_117_f&fid=37824&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doctorkalitenko.com%2Fblog%2Fgeneral-health%2Fantidepressants-do-not-prevent-suicide Even though antidepressants are much more often prescribed today, and mostly to the baby boomer generation, the statistics show that the rate of suicide among those between 45-54 are still the highest. Why is that? Shouldn’t easier accessibility and more drugs be solving our problems. Actually, instead, it proves the point exactly, that medication and magic pills don’t really solve everything. In years past, according to a New York Times article published about the findings, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/us/06suicide.html?ref=health, it has been those that are over 80 that accounted for most suicides. But that all changed five years ago when the numbers started to show that men and women (more men than women) were committing suicide between the ages of 45 and 54. As baby boomers, ... Doctor Kalitenko antiaging blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3794907 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:42:07 +0100 3794907 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3733299&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FVqaktbBtXWI%2F Last week, the Florida Medical Examiners Commission released its most recent report on the number of drug-related deaths in the state. The sad bottom line is that 8,653 - out of more than 171,300 deaths overall - were attributed to a drug that was listed as a cause of death, according to toxicology reports. Data was collected on various drugs, including benzodiazepines; cannabinoids; cocaine; ethyl alcohol; gamma-hydroxybutyric acid; methylated amphetamines (including Ecstasy); and various opioids, including fentanyl, heroin, methadone, morphine and oxycodone (read the report). However, one class of drugs that has, unfortunately, been associated with deaths, specifically suicide, is not included - antidepressants. Despite curiosity over this omission, Florida officials say there is a reaso... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3733299 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:06:11 +0100 3733299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714445&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FkLpeuK6mO5o%2F The objectives of the province-wide suicide prevention strategy should include: • Enhanced mental health and well being for Ontarians. • The education of the public to de-stigmatize mental health disorders, including depression and substance abuse disorders. • Improving intervention and support for Ontarians affected by depression and substance abuse. • Improving intervention and treatment for those at risk of suicide. • Increased efforts to reduce access to lethal means of suicide. • Increased research activities in Ontario on suicide, suicidal behaviour and suicide prevention. • Improved suicide and suicidal behaviour-related surveillance systems. • Inform and educate the media into strategies when reporting deaths due to suicide to prevent ‘copy cat’ suicides from oc... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714445 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:26:55 +0100 3714445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695626&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F24%2Fomega-3-treatment-for-depression%2F Can omega 3 help treat depression? According to new research, the answer is yes. In one of the largest studies on omega-3 supplements done to date, Canadian researchers found that for people who don’t also have an anxiety disorder with their depression, the popular omega-3 fish supplements helped improve depression symptoms. The improvements the researchers found in this study were similar to improvements found in studies of antidepressants, suggesting that for some people, omega-3 may be an inexpensive antidepressant alternative. From October 2005 to January 2009, 432 male and female participants with major unipolar depression were recruited to take part in this randomized, double-blind study (neither patients nor researchers knew which capsules patients received). For eight weeks,... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695626 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:02:07 +0100 3695626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3691114&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FKIwXZy8z1QA%2F For the second time this year, GlaxoSmithKline is moving to dispense with nagging litigation by agreeing to wholesale settlements. Last month, the drugmaker agreed to pay about $60 million to settle 700 lawsuits alleging its Avandia diabetes pill causes heart attacks and strokes (back story). Now, Glaxo is settling nearly 200 lawsuits that charged its Paxil antidepressant caused birth defects, although the amounts were not disclosed, The Legal Intelligencer reports. The move comes after a Pennsylvania state court jury last October awarded a woman $2.5 million in damages for failing to properly warn docs and pregnant women about the risks of the antidepressant. This case, which was filed by the family of three-year-old Lyam Kilker, who was born with heart defects his mother blamed on the d... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3691114 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:01:32 +0100 3691114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3666074&cid=t_100290_117_f&fid=37824&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doctorkalitenko.com%2Fblog%2Fgeneral-health%2Fwhy-depression-medication-fails-us Depression is a very serious subject and by no means does any doctor, functional, holistic or alternative, downplay the seriousness of what depression can cause. The symptoms of depression are vast, from physical to mental to emotional. The effects are devastating on it’s victims, families, careers, children and futures. Suicide is the most awful ending to depression, but it is not the most common at all. Most people live with depression. Some seek counseling, while others just suffer through the symptoms. Many learn to live with the symptoms until life is only a shell of what it used to be. But this is not how to handle depression. Even treatment, with a psychiatrist and medication, may not always help the ways that one may expect. Some of the basic signs of depression include: Feelin... Doctor Kalitenko antiaging blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3666074 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:05:51 +0100 3666074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662738&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F15%2Fpsychologist-says-antidepressants-are-just-placebos%2F I will dutifully report on yet another professional’s opinion about the research literature on antidepressants. This time the “antidepressant is just a placebo effect” argument comes from a psychologist. Irving Kirsch, a professor of psychology at the University of Hull in the U.K., says that antidepressants are nothing more than fancy and expensive placebos. He, of course, does not say this in a vacuum. No, of course not. He’s saying this in promoting his new book, The Emperor’s New Drugs (which, you know, is a “funny” play on the phrase “the emperor’s new clothes”). Read on for a quick deconstruction of his argument (his argument as presented in an interview online, anyways). The crux of the issue for me comes down to a question s... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662738 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:55:54 +0100 3662738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3621952&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FmNXqm9NGrP0%2F Any of the commonly used antidepressants was associated with a 68 percent relative increase in the overall risk of a miscarriage, and there were significant associations with the use Pfizer’s Effexor and GlaxoSmithKline’s Paxil, according to a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Also worth noting: the use of more than one class of antidepressant doubled the risk. The study examined 5,124 women who suffered miscarriages. A total of 284, or 5.5 percent of the women who had a miscarriage had at least one prescription for an antidepressant filled during pregnancy, compared with 1,401, or 2.7 percent of the matched control group. The authors noted that previous studies yielded inconsistent findings. There have also been lawsuits over links between Glaxo and birth defe... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3621952 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:51:21 +0100 3621952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3621754&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F02%2Fssri-antidepressants-linked-to-cataracts-miscarriages%2F It’s not been a good news week for SSRIs, a popular and common class of antidepressants that are widely prescribed by family physicians, interns and psychiatrists alike. A study released in the journal Ophthalmology showed that in seniors, SSRIs can increase the risk of developing cataracts in your eye by 15 percent in general. But researchers found it was even worse for some specific kinds of antidepressants — Fluvoxamine (Luvox) increases the risk by 39 percent, venlafaxine (Effexor) increases the risk by 33 percent and paroxetine (Paxil) increases the risk by 23 percent. A separate study also published this week found that taking SSRI antidepressant medications (and the SNRI Effexor) significantly increased — by 68 percent — the risk of miscarriage. Read on for t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3621754 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:22:09 +0100 3621754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3621953&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F1SWsyMDk1Dg%2F Another shiny day here on the Pharmalot corporate campus. And what better way to celebrate than with a cup of stimulation? Go ahead, indulge. Or grab a bottle of water if you prefer. There is much to do, so here are a few items to help you get started. Have a great day, everyone, and catch you soon… UK’s NICE Backs First-Line Use Of J&J’s Velcade (Reuters) J&J Ran Fewer Tylenol Ads Before The Recall (Adweek) Eisai Gets Priority Review For Breast Cancer Med (Bloomberg News) Rising Dollar Adds Pressure On Drugmakers (Dow Jones) Big Drugmakers To Outsource More Biologics Production (OutsourcingPharma) Pfizer To Relocate Some Connecticut Employees (The Day) Coffee pix thx to chichcacha flickr creative commons (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3621953 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:02:08 +0100 3621953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3618087&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FeIKSx7mehTc%2F This isn’t surprising. A new survey finds that 78 of those seeking treatment for depression or anxiety were prescribed antidepressants, but roughly half of those taking such a pill report being helped ‘a lot.’ Meanwhile, 91 percent of respondents who stuck with ‘talk therapy, reported this approach made things “a lot” or “somewhat” better, according to Consumer Reports, which conducted the survey. The survey also found that older, often less expensive SSRI antidepressants - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Lexapro, Celexa, Prozac and Zoloft - work just as well, and with fewer side effects, than newer, more costly SNRIs, including Cymbalta and Effexor (see Consumer Reports cost data here). Last year, doctors prescribed $9.9 billion worth of ant... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3618087 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:31:11 +0100 3618087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595898&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FGvBTxrsHLjI%2F Six years ago, Paxil was one of several antidepressants that had a Black Box warning slapped on its labeling over links to suicidal thought and behavior in youngsters. Since then, there has been nothing but controversy over the extent to which this move did more than harm than good, with some doctors arguing that the negative publicity and regulatory restrictions were scaring some physicians and patients who might otherwise benefit from a helpful treatment (see this, this and this). And so on this basis, GlaxoSmithKline is now conducting a pediatric study in Japan. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial seeks to compare Paxil over an eight-week period in 130 children and adolescents age seven to 17 suffering from major depressive disorder. “There remains a substantial... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595898 Mon, 24 May 2010 16:37:51 +0100 3595898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585671&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F20%2Fneither-blame-nor-indulge%2F Andrew Solomon offers this brilliant paragraph in his classic, “The Noonday Demon” about the relationship between medication and therapy, when we should make Herculean efforts to break free from depression or rather lie listless on our beds as victims of a loathsome illness: The conflict between psychodynamic therapy and medication is ultimately a conflict on moral grounds; we tend categorically to assume that if the problem is responsive to psychotherapeutic dialogue, it is a problem you should be able to overcome with simple rigor, while a problem responsive to the ingestion of chemicals is not your fault and requires no rigor of you. It is true both that very little depression is entirely the fault of the sufferer, and that almost all depression can be ameliorated with rigo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585671 Thu, 20 May 2010 16:56:02 +0100 3585671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3546894&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F09%2Flife-lessons-from-a-mentally-ill-mom%2F This is my 22nd Mother’s Day. Or my first, depending on how you look at it. You can read my experiences with being a birthmom here and here. Part 3 is rather happier: This is the first Mother’s Day following my ridiculously blissful reunion with my wonderful son and his equally wonderful parents. It’s hard to say much, mostly because the memories of those few days in December are so intensely personal and the emotions still so raw. I’m not quite ready to let the world in on them. What I will say is that, as magical as it all was, and as healing as it all was, it wasn’t a cure-all. Right now, I’m on my third antidepressant combo in two months, trying to get out of the most recent episode, just so you know that even really joyous events don’t instantly cure longstanding... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3546894 Sun, 09 May 2010 09:55:17 +0100 3546894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533905&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F05%2Fsex-on-antidepressants%2F Awhile back a reader asked me if I’d cover the topic of intimacy complications with regard to antidepressants. Ah. Yeah. Every time I write about this controversial topic, I usually get hammered by the left, right, and center. This is obviously delicate ground, so let me tread lightly. In a recent Johns Hopkins Health Alert called “The Challenge of Antidepressant Medication and Intimacy,” I read this: While sexual dysfunction is a frequent symptom of depression itself (and successful treatment of depression may eliminate it), antidepressant medication can sometimes worsen or even cause sexual problems. In fact, sexual dysfunction is a potential side effect of all classes of antidepressants. Between 30% and 70% of people who take antidepressant medications experience sex... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533905 Wed, 05 May 2010 10:42:29 +0100 3533905 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529733&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fdo-women-get-depressed-more-than-men%2F May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, reminding us all to keep our stress in check, and deal with signs of depression. But is all of that women’s work? This Pristiq commercial seems to say so. The prescription antidepressant advertisement features a mom-type watching her family play while she repeatedly winds up a sad toy lady, then lets it crawl across the picnic table. “I feel like I have to wind myself up to get out of bed, and well, I have to keep winding myself up to deal with the sadness, the loss of interest, the trouble concentrating, the lack of energy,” the woman explains. By the end of the dreadful commercial, we get the idea: Mom used to be a gloomy automaton of a woman. And now, thanks to Pristiq, she’s not. Anyone who has been through a major depression k... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529733 Mon, 03 May 2010 15:21:31 +0100 3529733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526710&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fdo-women-get-depressed-more-than-men%2F May is Mental Health Month! Mental Health America is encouraging us to stay on top of our stress, manage parenting in a difficult economy, and deal with signs of depression. But is all of that women’s work? This Pristiq commercial seems to say so. The prescription antidepressant advertisement features a mom-type watching her family play while she repeatedly winds up a sad toy lady, then lets it crawl across the picnic table. “I feel like I have to wind myself up to get out of bed, and well, I have to keep winding myself up to deal with the sadness, the loss of interest, the trouble concentrating, the lack of energy,” the woman explains. By the end of the dreadful commercial, we get the idea: Mom used to be a gloomy automaton of a woman. And now, thanks to Pristiq, she’s not. Bu... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526710 Mon, 03 May 2010 15:21:31 +0100 3526710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508138&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fmental-health-are-antidepressants-all-in-your-head%2F Your Prozac may not be helping you any more than a tic tac, according to a recent article in the The New York Times. A shrink explains why he decided to go from just writing prescriptions to helping patients with behavioral therapy, saying that psychiatry had been “transformed from a profession in which we talk to people and help them understand their problems into one in which we diagnose disorders and medicate them.” When, actually, behavioral therapy might be more effective. According to the article, one study of 19,000 patients found that the average patient taking antidepressants showed a 40% drop in depression, while those taking the placebo showed a 30% drop. “This meant that about three-quarters of the apparent response to antidepressants is actually due to the pl... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508138 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:55:41 +0100 3508138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3502831&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F25%2Fultrawellness-or-ultra-hype-antidepressant-as-demagogue%2F Mark Hyman, MD, is a “practicing physician and pioneer in functional medicine,” according to his bio on the Huffington Post where he recently penned the nonsensical, “Why Antidepressants Don’t Work for Treating Depression.” I say “nonsensical” because this article is based upon a study that came out 3 years ago, so writing this article to educate the public seems not to be its primary purpose. Exhibiting sound reasoning and logic also doesn’t seem apparent in this article, since generally a scientist or doctor would not dismiss an entire class of medications — antidepressants — based upon a single study. Or when there are many different types of antidepressants and sub-classes — SSRIs, tricyclics, MAOIs, SRNIs, etc. The stud... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3502831 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 15:45:16 +0100 3502831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487000&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F04%2F20%2Fthe-relationship-between-diabetes-and-depression%2F Filed under: ResearchDepression and diabetes are often seen in the same patients, but does one cause the other? It's no doubt that the stress of living with diabetes can make patients depressed. Research presented at the 2006 American Diabetes Association meeting may complete the circle. Research suggests that certain hormonal changes that accompany depression may lead to diabetes. And a surprising analysis from a large diabetes prevention trial hints that the use of antidepressants is somehow linked to diabetes. Still, many argue, the benefits of taking antidepressants far outweigh the supposed diabetes risks. In addition to both disease being problematic on their own, they're also linked to heart disease. Diabetics should be on the lookout for signs of depression, which can interfere... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487000 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3487000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463859&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FAXedCrREqsI%2F There appears to be no difference among antidepressants in raising a youngster’s risk of suicidal thoughts, according to a new long-term study in Pediatrics. The research supports the FDA decision in 2004 to mandate a “black box” on all antidepressants for increased suicidality risk in children and adolescents who take the meds and answers the question about which med carries the most risk, HealthDay writes. “Across the most frequently prescribed antidepressant agents, there was no difference in risk of suicide attempts and completed suicides,” lead researcher Sebastian Schneeweiss, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, tells HealthDay. The FDA showed a doubling in the risk of suicidal ideation among kids taking antidep... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463859 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:15:22 +0100 3463859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3436289&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F03%2Ffaa-still-stigmatizes-depression-mental-illness%2F The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday cleared pilots who have depression to regain their flying privileges, with one tiny caveat — they have to be taking one of only four “approved” antidepressants. I can only express my extreme disappointment at this decision, because while it has the potential to help pilots take to the air again if they were suffering from depression, it fails to recognize other effective treatments for depression. Apparently the FAA doesn’t recognize the effectiveness of psychotherapy in the treatment of depression. This despite something on the order of four decades’ (or more) worth of research demonstrating its effectiveness for everything from mild to severe depression. In fact, if anything, there’s more resear... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3436289 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 20:27:15 +0100 3436289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3433164&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fc_0pliKPa0w%2F The Federal Aviation Administration has dropped a decades-old ban on four antidepressants and so, as of April 5, as many as 10,000 pilots - some of whom were grounded - will be allowed to take to the air while on Prozac, Pfizer’s Zoloft or Forest Lab’s Celexa and Lexapro, Bloomberg News reports. In reaching its decision, the FAA says that drowsiness, which is associated the pills, doesn’t pose a safety threat. “We have a better understanding of the drugs,” FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt tells the news service. “We know more about the illness, we know more about how to treat it. We really need to remove the stigma, if you will, of being treated for an illness.” FAA policy bans pilots from flying if depressed because the condition can be distracting in the... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3433164 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:20:39 +0100 3433164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3432931&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F02%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-2-2010%2F Watch where you’re sitting and don’t believe everything you’re hearing; it was April Fool’s Day yesterday! According to Time.com, in 1998 USA Today had a full page ad advertising Burger King’s latest burger for its 1.4 million left-handed customers. Would you believe a left-handed whopper? Customers lined up at Burger King to try the new burger, where the fast food restaurant had their condiments rotated to accommodate left-handers. Or how about the hoax that left French citizens cringing in horror when in 1986 their newspaper The Parisien reported that the Eiffel Tower would be moved to the Euro Disney theme park? But don’t worry, there will be no foolery or hoax here, just really great blogs for the week. I’ve rounded up this week’s top 5 l... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3432931 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:13:21 +0100 3432931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429448&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FrsVT21QODtA%2F US prescription sales rose 5.1 percent last year, to $300.3 billion, a big increase from the 1.8 percent rate in 2008, thanks to manufacturer coupons, rebates, price hikes of 3 percent to 4 percent, and low-cost generics, which accounted for 75 percent of all prescriptions. Nonetheless, demand remained at “historically low levels,” according to IMS Health, which released the data. Overall, the rate at which prescriptions were filled rose 2.1 percent in 2009, to 3.9 billion dispensed, up from 1 percent the previous year. However, another recent report noted that the rate at which scrips were submitted to a pharmacy but never picked up was 6.3 percent, a 24 percent increase over 2008 (see here). Other contributing factors included inventory management by retail pharmacies; greate... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429448 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:08:20 +0100 3429448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3424820&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fshould-we-be-drugging-our-kids%2F When seven-year-old foster child Gabriel Myers hanged himself by a shower cord last year, all eyes turned to psychiatrist Dr. Sohail Punjwani, who had been treating the boy. The doctor had prescribed several powerful mental health drugs to Myers – some of which aren’t approved for use by kids, and had been linked to suicide among children. Image: istockphoto Every day, more and more youngsters around the country are being diagnosed with ADHD, depression, anxiety, autism, and other emotional disorders. Some parents and doctors jump to the conclusion that every hyper kid has ADHD, or that every sad child suffers from depression and needs medication. Somewhat surprising is the fact that the FDA has officially approved only one antidepressant drug for the treatment of depression in chi... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3424820 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:30:31 +0100 3424820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408633&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FaNXS4_7KILI%2F So here’s a chilling statistic - at least one in six service members is on some form of psychiatric drug. What’s more, many troops take a mix of antidepressants and antipsychotics to prevent nightmares, for instance, or an anti-epileptic to reduce headaches, according to The Military Times. Meanwhile, there’s not much research on these cocktails. Here’s another problem: the meds can impair motor skills and reduce reaction times, just the sort of side effect wanted for a fighting soldier, yes? And given that some meds may increase the risk of suicide, some docs and members of Congress question whether the drugs are connected to the rising rate of military suicides, the Times writes. “It’s really a large-scale experiment. We are experimenting with changing people... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408633 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:28:52 +0100 3408633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408438&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F26%2Fpsychotherapy-the-active-treatment%2F My friend Anne and I were talking the other day when the conversation turned to a recent airplane flight she was on. She recounted how it was on one of those smaller, turboprop planes with just 3 seats per row: “We hit some turbulence and then it was like we were free-falling. It was only a few seconds, but it was the scariest moment in my life. I felt so helpless and out of control. I know it was irrational to think anything bad would happen, but still …” When a person isn’t in control of his or her own destiny, most people feel powerless. Powerlessness can lead to feelings of helplessness as well. Most people prefer to be able to exert some influence on their destiny, on their future. We’d like to think that we actually have something to do with the way our ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408438 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:06:18 +0100 3408438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3399048&cid=t_100290_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F-V4ktNxBuUI%2F Excellent article in the UK’s newspaper The Independent on the growing adoption of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) by the National Health Service (NHS). Very relevant to the US too, given that a growing number of insurers are offering computerized CBT. Quotes: “Why are we asking this now? There is growing frustration among GPs at the difficulty they face in providing psychological therapy for patients with mental problems including depression. A survey by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) published at the weekend found almost two-thirds of respondents said they were “rarely” able to obtain treatment for patients within two months. Getting help for children who had suffered abuse or trauma was even more difficult. Professor Steve Field, the presi... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3399048 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:38:14 +0100 3399048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374379&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fu_DIWXy6OTM%2F Hello, everyone, nice to see you again. Another fine morning here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where sunrise is a welcome sight. And as the saying goes, spring is in the air. We are celebrating with a cup of stimulation as we rifle through the news of the world. Here are a few of those dispatches for your edification. Hope your day is sunny…. Favus Issues 2nd Bearish Report On Dendreon (TheStreet) Sanofi Says WHO Vaccine Suspension Is Precautionary (Bloomberg News) King Pays $42.5M To Settle Kickback Claims (Justice Department statement) Antidepressants Can Help People With Physical Ills (Reuters) Glenmark Told To Halt Sales Of Nitroglycerin Pills (Moneycontrol) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374379 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:40:27 +0100 3374379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3363685&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F14%2Fis-psychiatry-a-science%2F In a nearly 6,000-word essay, Louis Menand asks the question of the hour in the March 1 edition of The New Yorker. Menard lays out in excruciating detail the questions revolving around psychiatry these days, including the recent research into drug trials that suggests that some of the science psychiatry is founded upon is sometimes … Well, how shall we put it? Lacking. But it is a thoughtful piece that just doesn’t review two recent books — Gary Greenberg’s Manufacturing Depression and Irving Kirsch’s The Emperor’s New Drugs — but provides a fairly balanced set of observations and valuable historical insights about these never-ending arguments that seem to pervade psychiatry (and psychology and mental disorders in general). Questions such as: What is the basi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3363685 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:10:22 +0100 3363685 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354265&cid=t_100290_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fblisstree-poll-antidepressants%2F At Blisstree, we’re into all aspects of mental health. So we wonder how many of you have a little, a lot, or no experience at all with prescription antidepressants. Which ones? For depression, anxiety, OCD, or something else? For how long? Did they help you? Take our poll and talk to us below. #MicroPollDiv_239602 { width: 250px; margin: 0px auto; } Post from: BlissTree (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354265 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:03:41 +0100 3354265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3318430&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34730&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychiatrist-blog.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fwhy-cant-we-be-sad.html Today's New York Times Magazine has a really interesting article by Jonah Lehrer called "Depression's Upside." Mr. Lehrer talks about a possible evolutionary purpose for Major Depression.Mr. Lehrer writes:The persistence of this affliction — and the fact that it seemed to be heritable — posed a serious challenge to Darwin’s new evolutionary theory. If depression was a disorder, then evolution had made a tragic mistake, allowing an illness that impedes reproduction — it leads people to stop having sex and consider suicide — to spread throughout the population. For some unknown reason, the modern human mind is tilted toward sadness and, as we’ve now come to think, needs drugs to rescue itself. The alternative, of course, is that depression has a secret purpose and our medical i... Shrink Rap blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3318430 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:31:00 +0100 3318430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3311930&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FHPygQrfQd0U%2F A lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline over the suicide of 23-year-old Tricia Mason, who killed herself two days after taking its Paxil antidepressant, can proceed. The 7th Circuit appeals court ruled Glaxo didn’t meet its burden of showing with “clear evidence” the FDA would have rejected a labeling change to warn about enhanced suicide risk in young adults, The National Law Journal writes. The “clear evidence” standard was set last year with the US Supreme Court decision in Wyeth vs. Levine, which decided Wyeth didn’t meet the burden of showing the FDA would have rejected a label change. The court let stand a Vermont Supreme Court ruling against Wyeth over deficient labeling related to the IV push injection of Phenergan, the Journal notes, adding both cases... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3311930 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:26:44 +0100 3311930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3290992&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FncX1t4U0Bgc%2F Grassley, who is the ranking Republican on the US Senate Finance Committee, is investigating the relationship between WebMD and drugmakers after learning the web site is running a TV ad that encourage people to take a depression-screening test sponsored by Eli Lilly, which sells Cymbalta. So he wants WebMD, which lots of folks visit for medical info, to disclose its ties to the industry, in general, because the Lilly sponsorship raises questions about WebMD’s “independence,” according to this Feb. 18 letter to WebMD exec Wayne Gattinella. The ad encourages people to visit WebMD’s site to take a depression-screening test (see here). The test asks questions about suffering emotional or physical symptoms associated with depression and includes banner ads on the top and... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3290992 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:40:41 +0100 3290992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3259026&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F10%2Fnewsweeks-take-on-antidepressants-more-reactions%2F Since Newsweek published its article on antidepressants last week, we’ve seen a wide range of opinions posted about it online. Psych Central blogger and journalist Christine Stapleton asks, Am I treating my depression with expensive Tic Tacs? She reacted strongly to the main premise of the article — that antidepressants are nothing more than expensive Tic Tacs. It’s a personal but very real reaction from someone who has battled depression and has found relief in antidepressants — like millions of other Americans. Indeed, it echoes my own arguments. Research can inform us about many things in general, but they can never tell us anything about how a specific individual will benefit (or not). Christine posted a followup entry today, Antidepressants: JAMA, Newsweek an... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3259026 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:18:19 +0100 3259026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243842&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F05%2Fnewsweek-do-antidepressants-work-for-many-people-yes%2F I admire Newsweek writer Sharon Begley’s work … especially when she explains ways we can try to rewire our brain. But I found last week’s cover story irresponsible. If, for no other reason, than its title and subtitle: “The Depressing News About Antidepressants: Studies Suggest That the Popular Drugs Are No More Effective Than a Placebo. In Fact, They May Be Worse.” Then I may as well kill myself. That’s how I would have read the article four years ago, before I started questioning all the information available today on mood disorders and drug treatment, before I started working with a physician from Johns Hopkins who could help me tease out the hope from articles like this, so I wasn’t tempted to take my life upon reading there was no way out of ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243842 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:39:19 +0100 3243842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3227831&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F01%2Fare-antidepressants-really-that-ineffective%2F The more researchers delve into the research behind antidepressants — the class of drugs commonly prescribed to treat depression — the more they find that perhaps the majority of antidepressants’ treatment effect is based upon the simple belief that the drug will help. Newsweek’s Sharon Begley has a lengthy article discussing the growing body of evidence that calls into question decades’ worth of prescriptions. It’s a story that we’ve covered previously, that TIME covered nearly a year ago, and that Therese Borchard had a response to. It seems to be journalists’ favorite “go to” story now in mental health, because there’s a black-and-white controversy — do antidepressants work or don’t they? People mistakenly be... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3227831 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:10:49 +0100 3227831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3216841&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FnVIz0q18SZE%2F You’ve heard of evidence-based medicine. Well, a new paper summarizes a panalopy of practices employed over the past two decades or so - ghostwriting, suppressing or spinning data, disease mongering and managing side effect perceptions among docs - that the authors call marketing-based medicine. And they rely on internal documents from litigation - such as the much-publicized lawsuits over antipsychotics and antidepressants - to illustrate their point. “While much excitement has been generated surrounding evidence-based medicine, internal documents from the pharmaceutical industry suggest that the publicly available evidence base may not accurately represent the underlying data regarding its products,” they write in Bioethical Inquiry (see here). “We propose that wh... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3216841 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:07:23 +0100 3216841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3216842&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F3RHWBeMHIwE%2F Will the third time be the charm? Once again, the New Jersey legislature is being urged to pass a bill requiring a doctor or nurse to obtain informed consent from a minor’s parent before writing a prescription for any psychotropic that already carries a Black Box warning. The issue first emerged in the wake of the controversy over links between antidepressants and suicidal behavior in teens. As with two previous efforts, the initiative is being pushed by several parents who believe that FDA-mandated Med Guides for antidepressants are insufficient. Their earlier attempts were thwarted by a state senator who repeatedly blocked introduction (see here and here), but the Senate health committee now has a new chair. The bill was recently introduced in the assembly and Senate support is bei... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3216842 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:57:20 +0100 3216842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200658&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FsghuRYxiam8%2F Among nearly 3,000 women who gave birth in Washington State, those who started taking SSRI antidepressants in the second or third trimester had a higher risk of preterm birth, according to Reuters, which cites a study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Compared with others not given the meds, the women were nearly five times more likely to deliver prematurely. The same risk was not seen, however, among women who started on an SSRI before pregnancy or during the first trimester. The study also found a higher risk of preterm delivery among women who took anti-anxiety drugs known as benzodiazepines, regardless of when they began treatment, Reuters continues. Those drugs, which include meds such as lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax), were linked to higher risks of ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200658 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:06:41 +0100 3200658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3182152&cid=t_100290_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F17%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-303-no-1%2F This article aims to explore whether antidepressant medications have a specific pharmacological effect relative to pill placebo for patients with less severe depression. The objective of this research is to estimate the relative benefit of medication vs placebo across a wide range of initial symptom severity in patients diagnosed with depression. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online. Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Antidepressants, Depression, Drug Therapy, Placebo (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3182152 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:22:35 +0100 3182152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3175939&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F14%2Fthe-false-dichotomy-psychiatry-versus-psychology%2F Ever since grad school, I’ve always bristled at the arbitrary battle lines drawn between the various professions who treat mental disorders. Psychiatrists battle with psychologists, psychologists battle with clinical social workers, and so on. These turf battles do little to help people in need, who only want the best possible care available. But don’t tell that to the evangelists within the respective fields. I actually get embarrassed when I hear psychologists talk in semi-private groups about how they need to get the word about their “superior” abilities to treat mental illness. Research simply hasn’t borne out this attitude. Until it does, I have always looked at the value that each profession brings to the field and respect each for what they bring. So ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3175939 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:33:29 +0100 3175939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3159805&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=38951&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarlatpsychiatry.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fantidepressants-ineffective-dont_11.html Last week, I posted part 1 of my reaction to the JAMA study showing that antidepressants don't beat placebo for mild to moderate depression. The many comments I received were intelligent and informed--reading them will give anybody an instant education in the limitations of antidepressant research. It has been clear for years that antidepressants barely outperform sugar pills, at least in the artificial environment of the double blind, placebo controlled study. It is also clear that most psychiatrists in the trenches are perplexed by these results, because in our practices we appear to see people responding very robustly to antidepressants--including those with only mild to moderate symptoms. So what gives? I presented a hypothetical patient who became depressed because of financial woes... The Carlat Psychiatry Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3159805 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:54:00 +0100 3159805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153444&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=38951&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarlatpsychiatry.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fantidepressants-ineffective-dont.html A recent study in JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association) appeared to show that antidepressants do not work well in patients whose depression is mild to moderate, which is the majority of patients. The authors combined the results of six studies (three evaluated Paxil and three evaluated the old tricyclic imipramine) and found that there was little difference between active drug and placebo in patients with less severe depression. However, there was a large benefit of the active drug in patients with very severe depression.The study made news--see, for example, this piece in the New York Times. But do the results really mean that antidepressants are ineffective? I don't think so. In order to understand the implications of the study, you have to understand how clinical trials... The Carlat Psychiatry Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153444 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:54:00 +0100 3153444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149114&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F06%2Fplacebo-as-good-as-paxil-tofranil-for-most-depression%2F From the “What the…?!” file, new research we reported on today found that two antidepressants — Paxil (still commonly prescribed) and Tofranil (not commonly prescribed) — seem to only really work for the most severe kind of depression. When prescribed for mild to moderate — the vast majority of depression diagnosed today — these two antidepressants did not any better than a sugar pill placebo. The researchers for this new study pooled together the results of six previously published research studies that compared the effects of antidepressants to placebo for 718 adults with varying levels of depression — from very severe depression, to moderate depression, to mild depression. Three of the studies looked at paroxetine (Paxil) and the others l... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149114 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:06:39 +0100 3149114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149316&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fcommon-goal-of-research-and-marketing.html I once believed that pharmaceutical research (part of R&D) was the "bright" side of the pharmaceutical industry and that marketing was the "dark" side (see "God Bless R&D, but Marketers May Go to Hell!").Then, as so often happens, some pharmaceutical company does something stupid like rigging clinical trial end points to benefit marketing (see "Pharma R&D Succumbs to the Dark Side").Pharmaceutical companies may be rigging clinical trials in another way: by carefully recruiting patients who are most likely to benefit from the treatment. New evidence in support of this "dark" side of R&D is presented in the latest issue of JAMA. In the article, "Antidepressant Drug Effects and Depression Severity: Patient-Level Meta-analysis"; JAMA. 2010;303(1):47-53 (doi:10.1001/jama.2009.19... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149316 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:23:00 +0100 3149316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146048&cid=t_100290_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FfyVFbpTfLW0%2F If you are experiencing mild or moderate depression, chances are antidepressant medications won’t be any help to you, say researchers. These medications are only useful to those who are living with severe depression. Millions of prescriptions for antidepressants are being written now that they’ve become so available and more accepted as treatment in today’s society. However, there have been many criticisms about how often the medications are being prescribed and for whom. It is often suggested that, although there are people who can truly benefit from antidepressant medications, there are those who would be able to manage by discussing their depression with their doctor or a counselor and making lifestyle changes. Jay C. Fournier, M.A., of the University of Pennsylvania, ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146048 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:42:45 +0100 3146048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146213&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FnGXJMDUMiE4%2F The ongoing debate over antidepressants and links to suicides prompts the medical community - notably, psychiatrists - to say the pills serve a needed purpose. Without the drugs, the argument goes, many patients may be in worse shape (background here). A new analysis in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests the pills don’t do much for those with mild or moderate depression. An analysis of randomized trials indicates that, compared with placebo, the “magnitude of benefit” of varies with the severity of symptoms, and may provide little benefit for those with mild or moderate depression. But the pills do appear to provide a substantial benefit for the severely depressed, according to the JAMA review. The article goes on to say there is little evidence anti... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146213 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:06:33 +0100 3146213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142625&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F05%2Fthis-emotional-life-losing-a-brother-to-suicide%2F Harvard psychologist and bestselling author Daniel Gilbert has teamed up with Vulcan Productions and the NOVA/WGBH Science Unit to create a multimedia project called This Emotional Life. The second part of this 3-part documentary airs tonight on PBS, but you should also check out their website which features expert bloggers and clips from the series. Featured in the second episode is Robert Antonioni, a state senator in Massachusetts who faced up to his own depression after the suicide of his brother. His personal experience has strengthened his own position as a key policymaker in Massachusetts. I had the opportunity to interview him. Question: How did the suicide of your brother strengthen your position as a key policymaker in Massachusetts? Robert Antonioni: I gradually came to realize,... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142625 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:07:47 +0100 3142625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142649&cid=t_100290_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FVblMNVYGTwM%2F People who live with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are often faced with trial-and-error to find treatments that work for them. One type of treatment that can be successful for some people with IBS is using antidepressant medications. This isn’t to say that IBS is related to depression, but some antidepressant medications have other properties, such as providing pain relief from chronic pain. In the case of IBS, the antidepressants may work because there are chemical transmitters in the brain that are also present in the colon. When it comes to antidepressants, some people swear by the supplement St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Because of the antidepressant properties found by some people, researchers wanted to see if St. John’s Wort would be a reasonable treatmen... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142649 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:55:08 +0100 3142649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3133803&cid=t_100290_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8XjEIRvaBig%2F The program will be called Medication Exposure in Pregnancy Risk Evaluation Program (MEPREP) and is a collaboration between the FDA, researchers at the HMO Research Network Center for Education and Research in Therapeutics (CERT), Kaiser Permanente research centers and Vanderbilt University. What’s the rationale? About two-thirds of women who deliver a baby have taken at least one med during pregnancy, according to the FDA, which cites a journal article published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In a statement, the FDA says there are few clinical trials that test drug safety in pregnancy due to concerns about the health of the mother and child, but FDA commish Margaret Hamburg says the data will guide regulatory policy and should influence medical care. The rese... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3133803 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:17:47 +0100 3133803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108412&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_combination_of_antidepressant_medications_from_tre.htm Conclusions: The combination treatments were as well tolerated as fluoxetine monotherapy and more clinically effective. The study results, which add to a growing body of evidence, suggest that use of antidepressant combinations from treatment initiation may double the likelihood of remission compared with use of a single medication. Source... © 2009 American Psychiatric Association (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108412 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:30:00 +0100 3108412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096918&cid=t_100290_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Ftreating_depression_helps_with_blood_sugar_control.htm NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Treating depression may help people with diabetes get their blood sugar under control. In a study of low-income minorities with poorly controlled diabetes, researchers found that antidepressant therapy was associated with improved long-term blood sugar control and reduced blood pressure. More... © 2009 Reuters (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096918 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:06:00 +0100 3096918