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 'benzodiazepines'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:20:49 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036528&cid=t_123982_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=4676878&cid=t_123982_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=4168211&cid=t_123982_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F69v_iXec4gg%2F Back in 1982, the UK’s Medical Research Council agreed that large studies should examine the long-term impact of benzodiazepines after research showed brain shrinkage in some patients that was similar to the effects of long-term alcohol abuse. But newly uncovered documents indicate studies were never begun and docs continued writing millions of scrips annually for such drugs as Valium, Mogadon and Librium. Today, there are an estimated 1.5 million “involuntary addicts” in the UK, and many display symptoms consistent with brain damage. The documents, which were marked “closed until 2014″, do not make clear why a study was not begun and the Department of Health has no record of the meeting, according to The Independent, which obtained the documents. “The f... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168211 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:25:54 +0100 4168211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3570069&cid=t_123982_151_f&fid=39090&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fhelpalcoholicfamily%2FxITS%2F%7E3%2F7bnCf9h_FGw%2F Is your alcoholic husband or alcoholic wife taking Xanax or Klonopin? Both these medications are in class of drugs known as the benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety drugs) and they are addicting. If combined with alcohol, the effects of these drugs intensify and someone can have a fatal overdose. Common drugs in this class are Valium, Klonopin, Xanax, and Ativan. They are anti-anxiety drugs. As a psychiatrist that specializes in addiction, I will not prescribe these addicting drugs to anyone with an alcohol problem for 3 major reasons: Your alcoholic spouse will abuse the drug by increasing the dose prescribed at their own discretion. This class of drugs is a known trigger to the brain for triggering an alcoholic relapse. At high enough doses in combination with alcohol, your alcoholic husband o... Alcoholic Spouse Advanced Help blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3570069 Sun, 16 May 2010 17:41:52 +0100 3570069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3483125&cid=t_123982_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Ffactors-affecting-survival-during-alcohol-withdrawal%2F In a Spanish hospital, 7% of patients died during 539 episodes of withdrawal. Most patients who are experiencing alcohol detoxification do not require acute care or specific treatments. For the few with symptoms that are severe enough to require hospitalization, mortality has decreased substantially since the introduction of benzodiazepines more than 40 years ago, but deaths still occur. To determine risk factors for death, researchers in Spain reviewed medical records for 539 hospitalizations (436 patients) for alcohol withdrawal during 16 years at a single hospital. All patients received clomethiazole, a sedative with efficacy for alcohol withdrawal (not approved for use in the U.S.) Alcohol withdrawal was the reason for hospitalization in 62% of cases; in the rest, withdrawal developed... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3483125 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:03:49 +0100 3483125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3448912&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=34730&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychiatrist-blog.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fshopping-spree.html CNN recently had a story entitled How physicians try to prevent 'doctor shopping', about states' efforts to control and prevent prescription drug abuse. While it's a good story, it's unfortunate that we only tend to talk about this issue after the overdose death of a celebrity. Here at Shrink Rap we've talked before about our concerns and challenges related to this issue in a series of blog posts and one podcast which we've collectively referred to as "the Benzo Wars".The Shrink Rappers have seen both sides of the prescription drug abuse issue and so we have different opinions about it. Neither opinion is all right or all wrong, we just differ on the degree of the problem and to some degree how it should be handled. Our opinions are shaped by the patients we treat: Dinah has a private prac... Shrink Rap blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3448912 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:00:00 +0100 3448912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354374&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=34730&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychiatrist-blog.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fthings-we-argue-about.html Sometimes, especially on the podcasts, we get heated and go at it. Oh, sometimes on the blog, too. Among ourselves, we refer to these discussions as "The Benzo Wars" --the posts where we've argued about what role benzodiazepines and addictive medications have in psychiatry, and "Who Deserves Care" cause Clink thinks her patients need help more than mine (..if you see me walking around with bruises, you'll know it's me......)So what else do Shrinks argue about? We've got a colorful history here. Took us decades to decided if homosexuality was a disorder (yes, maybe, no). Is psychosurgery with knitting needles good? Should our patients get special accommodations? What if I'm allergic to your support dog?Ah, we're writing a chapter and I like the input you all give!And please listen to our po... Shrink Rap blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354374 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:28:00 +0100 3354374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200658&cid=t_123982_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=3124704&cid=t_123982_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2FJKLe95JhAjw%2F I’ve been posting more lately, but I’m hoping to slow down by the end of the holidays to let everyone catch up.   I’ve also mentioned ‘my book’ several times in the past year, promising to myself and to others deadline that comes and go.  I wish I could take a month and work on it full-time, but I don’t see much chance of that happening… so I’ll have to just keep chipping away at it.  I can be a perfectionist and everything can be worded just a little better…  I’m the same way some mornings with my electric razor, until  my wife gets sick of watching me ‘make it perfect’ and takes the razor from me.  I came across an article the other day that described a form of OCD that involves exactly that behavior&#821... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124704 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:17:06 +0100 3124704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3003840&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_fluoxetineclonazepam_cotherapy_for_anxious_depres.htm Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009 Nov 5;doi:10.1097/YIC.0b013e32833205a4 Fluoxetine-clonazepam cotherapy for anxious depression: an exploratory, post-hoc analysis of a randomized, double blind study Papakostas GI, Clain A, Ameral VE, Baer L, Brintz C, Smith WT, Londborg PD, Glaudin V, Painter JR, Fava M. Depression Clinical and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts bSummit Research Network, Portland, Oregon, USA. Anxious depression, defined as major depressive disorder (MDD) accompanied by high levels of anxiety, seems to be both common and difficult to treat, with antidepressant monotherapy often yielding modest results. We sought to examine the relative benefits of antidepressant-anxiolytic cotherapy versus antidepressant monothera... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3003840 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:41:00 +0100 3003840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814488&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fpregabalin_facilitates_successful_switch_from_benzodiazepine.htm By Jenny Powers ISTANBUL, Turkey — September 18, 2009 — Patients with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) can be switched off benzodiazepines with the assistance of pregabalin treatment, according to a study presented here at the 22nd European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress. More... Copyright (c) 1995-2009 Doctor's Guide Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814488 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:09:00 +0100 2814488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774677&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract__falsepositive_urine_screening_for_benzodiazepin.htm Conclusion: Our findings suggest that sertraline may be an unreported cause of false-positive benzodiazepine results in a widely used screening assay. Source + Full text... Copyright notice (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774677 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:53:00 +0100 2774677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634446&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Ffamily_dysfunction_not_significant_factor_in_antidepressant.htm SINC Psychopharmaceutical use has risen over recent years. This is fact, but what is not clear is the reason why. Researchers from four Madrid-based health centers have shown that family conflict is not a significant factor. However, the results published in the journal Atención Primaria are striking: in Spain, 24% of women take antidepressants and more than 30% take tranquilizers. "The use of psychopharmaceuticals is often related to family or work-related problems. We wanted to see if there was actually a positive link between the consumption of antidepressants and benzodiazepines and any kind of family dysfunction," Sonsoles Pérez, lead author of the study and a doctor at the Las Águilas Health Centre in Madrid. The authors studied 121 women aged between 25 and 65, ... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634446 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:43:00 +0100 2634446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576642&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_benzodiazepine_use_and_driving_a_metaanalysis.htm Conclusion: Benzodiazepine users were found to be at a significantly increased risk of MVCs compared to nonusers, and these differences may be accounted for by a difficulty in maintaining road position. Source... © Copyright 2009 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc. (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576642 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:51:00 +0100 2576642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2553080&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fmolecule_stops_panic_as_quickly_as_benzodiazepines_without_t.htm Brandon Bryn - AAAS A  ligand, or binding molecule, of the translocator protein (18 kDa) seems to quickly counteract anxiety and panic attacks in mice as well as humans-and without the negative side effects associated with other current remedies, researchers say. This finding suggests that this ligand, XBD173, might be a good candidate for use as a safe and fast-acting anti-anxiety agent. Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and can be very disabling, frequently turning into chronic clinical conditions. Current treatments like the benzodiazepines (eg: Valium®, Xanax®) often have unwanted side effects such as sedation, tolerance, or symptoms of withdrawal after chronic use. Antidepressant drugs are also sometimes administered to treat anxiety, but their beneficial effects onl... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2553080 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:10:00 +0100 2553080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473546&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract__are_sedatives_and_hypnotics_associated_with_incr.htm Conclusion: Sedatives and hypnotics were both associated with increased risk for suicide after adjustment for appropriate indications. Given the extremely high prescription rates, a careful evaluation of the suicide risk should always precede prescribing a sedative or hypnotic to an elderly individual. Source + Full text... Open access (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473546 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:15:00 +0100 2473546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2061523&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_withdrawing_benzodiazepines_in_primary_care.htm CNS Drugs 2009 Jan;23(1):19-34 Withdrawing Benzodiazepines in Primary Care Lader M, Tylee A, Donoghue J. Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London; John Moores University, Liverpool, Scotland The use of benzodiazepine anxiolytics and hypnotics continues to excite controversy. Views differ from expert to expert and from country to country as to the extent of the problem, or even whether long-term benzodiazepine use actually constitutes a problem. The adverse effects of these drugs have been extensively documented and their effectiveness is being increasingly questioned. Discontinuation is usually beneficial as it is followed by improved psychomotor and cognitive functioning, particularly in the elderly. The potential for dependence and addiction have also become more apparent. ... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2061523 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:02:00 +0100 2061523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1845062&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fanxiety_depression_medications_have_significant_longterm_b.htm But getting treatment may be more important than the type of treatment University of Alberta researcher Ian Colman says most people are not getting the type of treatment they need. Colman, an assistant professor from the School of Public Health, and his research team investigated the long term effects of taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. The team studied a group of 200 Britons born in 1946 who were diagnosed with either anxiety and/or depression. Of that group, 45 were on medication. The group had their mental health assessed in 1989 through a series of questions in a survey asking about their illness and what, if any, treatments they were on. Ten years later the group completed a similar questionnaire. Colman says the research team were surprised to find those who were ... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1845062 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:45:00 +0100 1845062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1826152&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fbenzodiazepines_for_major_depression.htm Clin Psychiatry News 2008 Sep;36(9):20 Laurence Guttmacher, MD, JAN LEARD-HANSSON, MD The Problem You have a patient with major depression. Symptoms include anxiety and insomnia. You prescribe an antidepressant and consider immediate augmentation with a benzodiazepine, but you are worried about the possibility that benzodiazepines could worsen the depression. The Question Do benzodiazepines aid antidepressants in treating major depression? More... © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1826152 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:32:00 +0100 1826152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1812901&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract__a_pilot_study_of_clonazepam_versus_psychodynamic_.htm Conclusions: Our study suggests that the combination of PGT with clonazepam may be a promising strategy for the treatment of GSAD, regarding gains in the global functioning. However the present study failed to detect more specific changes in social anxiety symptomatology between the two groups. Source... Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS All rights reserved. (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1812901 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:02:00 +0100 1812901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1739446&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fbenzodiazepines_trigger_similar_addictive_brain_changes_as.htm Addictions to medicines and drugs are thought to develop over a relatively long period of time. The process involves both structural and functional changes in brain nerve cells that are still poorly understood. However, a single drug or alcohol dose is sufficient to generate an initial stage of addiction. Recent research conducted under the umbrella of the Academy of Finland Research Programme on Neuroscience (NEURO) has discovered the same phenomenon in the dosage of benzodiazepine diazepam (Valium®). Benzodiazepines are highly effective medicines that are widely used in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, pains, panic attacks and other symptoms. However, over time patients may develop an increased tolerance towards these medicines and an unhealthy dependence. "Previously, addiction t... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1739446 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:31:00 +0100 1739446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1679732&cid=t_123982_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsuboxonetalkzone.com%2F2008%2F08%2F05%2Fsuboxone-and-other-medications-xanax%2F Q/A with a person from suboxforum.com: I have a question regarding suboxone and i cant figure out how to post comments so i figured i would email to see if i can get my questions answered that way. 1) I know that suboxone has some kind of ceiling effect to where if you take too much it is either pointless or does the opposite, Is this true? 2) I am prescribed to xanax and zoloft as well.Will my anxiety medicine or my depression medicine (xanax/zoloft) not work with me being on suboxone? Does it block out benzos like xanax and valium and soma? Or does it just block opiates? 3) My boyfriend is on suboxone as well but I worry that he is abusing it? Can he get high off taking more than his prescribed amount or is it absolutely impossible to get high off suboxone alone? My Response: H... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1679732 Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:18:20 +0100 1679732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1657377&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_early_onset_anxiolytic_efficacy_after_a_single_dos.htm J Psychopharmacol. 2008 Jul 17;doi:10.1177/0269881108094722 Early onset anxiolytic efficacy after a single dose of pregabalin: double-blind, placebo- and active-comparator controlled evaluation using a dental anxiety model Nutt D, Mandel F, Baldinetti F. Psychopharmacology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Clinical R&D, Statistics, Pfizer Inc, New York, USA; Global Medical, Neuroscience, Pfizer Inc, New York, USA To evaluate acute onset of anxiolytic activity using a dental anxiety model, 89 patients were randomised to double-blind single dose pregabalin [Lyrica®] 150 mg, alprazolam [Xanax®] 0.5 mg or placebo 4 h before a scheduled dental procedure. A Dental Anxiety Total score >12 (moderate-to-severe) without meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1657377 Sun, 27 Jul 2008 08:40:00 +0100 1657377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1603390&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fantidepressants_benzodiazepines_may_increase_risk_of_falls_.htm Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have created a list of prescription drugs that increase the risk of falling for patients aged 65 and older who take four or more medications on a regular basis. "Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for adults 65 and older, and research suggests that those taking four or more medications are at an even greater risk than those who don't - perhaps two to three times greater," said Susan Blalock, PhD, an associate professor at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Blalock is the principal investigator of an ongoing study of a falls-prevention program she and fellow researchers developed for pharmacists to implement. Both the list of prescription drugs and some of the study's finding were published in the... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1603390 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:37:00 +0100 1603390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1531628&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fuk_recall_of_metwest__brand_5mg_diazepam_valiumreg_tab.htm The Medicines Healthcare and Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and MetWest Pharmaceuticals have issued a Drug Alert recalling a batch of diazepam 5mg tablets. The batch is being recalled because some cartons have been found to contain diazepam 2mg tablets. The following batch number is affected: 1240701. The expiry date of this batch is 30/11/2010, and it was first distributed on 19/02/2008. The product should be returned to the place of purchase. Additional information...   () (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1531628 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:52:00 +0100 1531628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1415012&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fproof_of_concept_trial_of_inhaled_alprazolam_as_panic_attack.htm Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has completed the enrollment in its Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial with AZ-002 (Staccato® alprazolam) in patients with panic disorder. AZ-002 is an inhalation product candidate being developed for the acute treatment of panic attacks associated with panic disorder. AZ-002 is the combination of Alexza's proprietary Staccato system with the benzodiazepine alprazolam (Xanax®). The Phase 2a clinical trial is an in-clinic proof of concept study. Alexza projects that the initial results will be reported before the end of Q2 2008. (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1415012 Fri, 02 May 2008 08:29:00 +0100 1415012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1150756&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract__use_of_benzodiazepines_and_ssris_in_middleaged_a.htm Conclusions: Although there was an increase in SSRI/SNRI use in older participants with anxiety disorders over the course of study, at nine years of follow-up, only 35% of participants were utilizing SSRI/SNRI medication, while more than one-half of the same participants were continuing to use BZs. To the authors' knowledge, there are no randomized clinical trials that have addressed comparative efficacy and safety of BZs and SSRIs/SNRIs in this population. However, there is documented evidence of adverse effects of chronic BZ use and the risk of developing dependency in older populations. Source... (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1150756 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:20:00 +0100 1150756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1007606&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fwarning_issued_against_taking_st_johns_wort_with_epilepsy_dr.htm The British Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued a reminder to healthcare professionals that any antiepileptic medicine may interact with St John's wort, and that their concomitant use is therefore not recommended. The first warnings that some antiepileptic medicines interacted with St John's wort were issued in 2000; these were based on the metabolism of these medicines and the known induction and inhibitory effects of St John's wort on various cytochrome P450 enzymes. The MHRA has continued to receive reports of possible interactions between antiepileptics and St John's wort, including (levetiracetam, lamotrigine, and clobazam which were previously not known to interact. The Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee and the Commission on Human Medicines Pharmacovigila... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1007606 Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:59:00 +0100 1007606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=989927&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract__longterm_highdose_benzodiazepine_prescriptions.htm J Trauma Stress. 2007 Oct 22; 20(5): 909-914 Long-term, high-dose benzodiazepine prescriptions in veteran patients with PTSD: Influence of preexisting alcoholism and drug-abuse diagnoses. Hermos JA, Young MM, Lawler EV, Rosenbloom D, Fiore LD. Pharmacoepidemiology Research Group, Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System and Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Youth Alcohol Prevention Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA; Pharmacoepidemiology Research Group, Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA; Pharmacoepidemiology Research Group, Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System and... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=989927 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:28:00 +0100 989927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=904621&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_comparisons_of_psychopharmacological_and_psycholog.htm Conclusions: While drug treatment and CBT showed equal efficacy, only in panic disorder the combination of pharmacological and psychological treatment was superior to either treatment alone. For the other anxiety disorders, the evidence for greater efficacy of combination treatment is still not sufficient due to lack of studies. (Text has been reformatted for clarity; ed.) Source... (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=904621 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 08:55:00 +0100 904621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=894327&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_benzodiazepines_in_generalized_anxiety_disorder.htm The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and efficacy of benzodiazepines in the treatment of GAD based on trial drop-out rates. We used a systematic review of randomized controlled trials that compared any of the three best established benzodiazepines (diazepam, Lorazepam and aLprazolam) against placebo. Our primary outcome for effectiveness was withdrawal for any reason. Our secondary outcome tapping efficacy was withdrawal due to lack of efficacy, and that tapping side effects was withdrawals due to adverse events. We included 23 trials. Pooled analysis indicated less risk of treatment discontinuation due to lack of efficacy for benzodiazepines, compared to placebo, relative risk (RR) 0.29 (95% CI 0.18-0.45; p < 0.00001). Nevertheless, pooled analysis showed no conc... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=894327 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:31:00 +0100 894327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=883862&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Flinkblog%2Fjump%2F%3Fi%3D498421 (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=883862 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 05:28:00 +0100 883862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=825651&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fclinical_updates_in_sleep_medicine_benzodiazepines.htm Despite the well-documented efficacy and safety records of benzodiazepines, physicians elect to use agents from a number of pharmaceutical classes to treat insomnia, despite absent safety and efficacy data to support their use. Although antidepressants are the most widely-used "off-label" agents to treat insomnia, other drugs, including antipsychotics, antihistamines, and anticonvulsants, are routinely prescribed for insomnia with little consideration given to risks of side effects associated with their use. More... © 2007 Psychiatry Weekly, LLC (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=825651 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:13:00 +0100 825651 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=798053&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fmore_dui_stops_find_xanax.htm The New York Times News Service — Hillsborough sheriff's Deputy Larry Morrell pulled over the 26-year-old woman after she crashed into an apartment gate on Brandon's Regency Avenue. He shined a light in her eyes and asked her to track its movement. She couldn't."It looked like a pingpong game going on her with her eyes," Morrell said. Typically, only an extremely inebriated driver would fail the test so badly, he said. But the woman's breath test showed a blood alcohol content of just 0.09 percent, slightly above the 0.08 level at which the state presumes impairment. So while processing her arrest, Morrell asked her whether she had taken any drugs. Yes, she admitted. She'd been at a party at a hotel in Brandon and had taken some Xanax, a prescription antianxiety pill. More...   C... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=798053 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:45:00 +0100 798053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=798055&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fxanax_treated_abilene_zoo_elephant_dies_at_age_49.htm ABILENE, Texas (AP) - A stressed-out elephant that had been treated with Xanax died Monday morning at age 49, zoo officials said. More... © 2007 The Associated Press/The E.W. Scripps Co. (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=798055 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:34:00 +0100 798055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=756853&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Ffor_anxiety_look_beyond_status_quo_drugs_augmentation_most.htm By Carl Sherman Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are first-line pharmacotherapy for most patients with generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder, but a substantial number of patients need more. How many is unclear. "Treatment resistance in anxiety is not as well defined as in depression. There are [fewer data]," said Dr. Mary Elizabeth Salcedo, medical director of an anxiety treatment center in Washington. "But it appears as common and as difficult [to resolve]." In Dr. Salcedo's experience, at least 30% of patients are left with "a significant amount of troubling anxiety" after trials of several first-line agents. More... © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.in... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=756853 Wed, 25 Jul 2007 08:25:00 +0100 756853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=741539&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Ffda_safety_label_changes_for_lorazepam_ativanreg_and_flu_1.htm The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) has approved safety label changes for lorazepam (Ativan®) and fluoxetine (Sarafem®). The changes are highlighted in the lorazepam (pdf) and fluoxetine (pdf) Prescriber Information data sheets. (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=741539 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 07:59:00 +0100 741539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=711964&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_reduced_947aminobutyric_acid_a8211benzodiaz.htm Conclusions: A previous smaller study with the same ligand reported a probable binding abnormality in the right insula. Because γ-aminobutyric acid is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and because benzodiazepines facilitate this effect of γ-aminobutyric acid, decreased benzodiazepine binding is consistent with localized brain activation (ie, loss of inhibition). Because the insula is strongly involved in visceral-somatic afferent and efferent function, activation of the insula is consistent with the occurrence of the physical symptoms prominently associated with panic disorder. Source... Note:  γ-Aminobutyric Acid is also known as Gamma-AminoButyric Acid (GABA). 'Binding sites' are also called receptors.  'γ-Aminobutyric AcidA-Benzodiazepine Bi... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=711964 Tue, 03 Jul 2007 08:42:00 +0100 711964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=708893&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_managing_side_effects_of_anxiolytics.htm This article discusses the common side effects of benzodiazepines and other anxiolytic agents in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Drug-drug interactions, drug dependence, and pregnancy risks of benzodiazepines are also discussed. Sedation and cognitive impairment are the most bothersome side effects of benzodiazepines, but these can be minimized by observing basic treatment principles. Although concerns about benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal have been raised, most discontinuation symptoms can be avoided with proper education and a gradual taper schedule. The non-benzodiazepine anxiolytics, including buspirone, propranolol, hydroxyzine, and gabapentin, have specific and limited roles in the treatment of anxiety, but their side-effect profiles are fairly benign. Source + full arti... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=708893 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:02:00 +0100 708893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=692467&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fnihm_study_to_examine_effects_of_excluding_benzodiazepines_i.htm A new research grant funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) will examine the costs and benefits of excluding a commonly prescribed class of anti-anxiety medications — benzodiazepines — from coverage in the new Medicare Part D program. Medicare Part D, the prescription drug coverage plan for people insured by Medicare, went into effect in January 2006. The two-year grant will examine how this large public health initiative is affecting treatment of anxiety disorders in older adults. The decision to exclude benzodiazepines from Medicare Part D coverage was based in part on clinical studies indicating that even though the medications are an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, older people who take them are at an increased risk for falls and hip fractures, an... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=692467 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:25:00 +0100 692467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=660579&cid=t_123982_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_antidepressants_but_not_benzodiazepines_hinder_cbt.htm In conclusion, controlling for pre-treatment severity, pre- and post-treatment use of SSRIs and A/D was associated with poorer outcomes, particularly for PD severity and anxiety sensitivity. (Text has been reformatted for clarity; ed.) Source... (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=660579 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 07:48:00 +0100 660579