How psychiatrists inform themselves and their patients about risks and benefits of antipsychotic treatment

How psychiatrists inform themselves and their patients about risks and benefits of antipsychotic treatment, Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Aug 2009, Volume 120 Issue 2, Pages 112 - 119

1 Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany ,   2 Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Germany and   3 Department of Psychology, Universität Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
Correspondence to Rosmarie Mendel, Department of Psychiatry [...]

Anti-depressants and suicide

Anti-depressants and suicide , Journal of Health Economics, Online early view 2009
Abstract:
Suicide takes the lives of around a million people each year, most of whom suffer from depression. In recent years there has been growing controversy about whether one of the best-selling anti-depressants – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – increases or decreases the risk [...]

Combining pharmacotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy: Traditional and new approaches

Combining pharmacotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy: Traditional and new approaches, Journal of Traumatic Stress Oct2006, Vol. 19 Issue 5, p571-581
Abstract:
Given the ever-increasing sources of trauma both nationally and globally, it is imperative to develop new and better treatments for anxiety disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This review is a collection of presentations that [...]

Antidepressants on trial: how valid is the evidence?

Antidepressants on trial: how valid is the evidence? The British Journal of Psychiatry 2009  194: 1-3
Editorial
Abstract:
Declaration of interest
G.P. serves on several advisory boards for antidepressant drugs, and has chaired and spoken at meetings convened by pharmaceutical companies.
A recent meta-analysis concluded that newer antidepressant drugs are equivalent to or no better than placebos, a conclusion [...]

Psychiatrists’ and nurses’ views of mental health nurse supplementary prescribing: a survey

Psychiatrists’ and nurses’ views of mental health nurse supplementary prescribing: a survey, Psychiatric Bulletin Oct 2008; 32: 364 – 365.
Abstract:
A questionnaire survey of psychiatrists and mental health nurses was conducted to look at their awareness of nurse supplementary prescribing and its impact on patient care.
RESULTS
Response rate was 49.5% for psychiatrists and 23% for [...]

Patient Medication

Choice & Medication  Information for people who use services, carers and professionals
The United Kingdom Psychiatric Pharmacy Group in collaboration with the National Institute for Mental Health has launched a website that provides information for users and carers on psychiatric medication. The website provides information on choice of medication and directs patients to information leaflets from [...]

Bipolar & Safety of Antidepressants

Are antidepressants safe in the treatment of bipolar depression? A critical evaluation of their potential risk to induce switch into mania or cycle acceleration  ,   Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Volume 118 Issue 5, Pages 337 - 346 26 Aug 2008
Abstract:
To address whether switch of depression into hypomania or mania or cycle acceleration in patients with bipolar disorder is caused by antidepressants or whether this phenomenon [...]

Winner of Resident Paper Award 2007-2008 – Psychosis

A Review of Second-Generation Antipsychotic Discontinuation in First-Episode Psychosis. Journal of Psychiatric Practice. 14(5):289-300, September 2008.
MILLER, BRIAN J. MD, MPH
Winner of Resident Paper Award 2007-2008
Abstract:
“All-causes discontinuation” refers to discontinuation of treatment for any reason, and adherence to medication is an important component of this measure. Two recent landmark studies suggest that adherence is a [...]

Antipsychotics & Risks – NHS Choices Behind the Headlines story on Antipsychotics and stroke risk

29 August 2008 – Antipsychotics and stroke risk, 1st September 2008, Department of Health, NHS Choice
Click on title for full-text access
Abstract:
“Antipsychotic drug ‘stroke risk’” is the headline on the BBC News website. A study has found that all forms of antipsychotics boost the risk of stroke in all patients. It reports that research in 2002 [...]

Evidence-based guidelines for treating depressive disorders with antidepressants: A revision of the 2000 British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines

Evidence-based guidelines for treating depressive disorders with antidepressants: A revision of the 2000 British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines, 27th August 2008, British Association for Psychopharmacology
For the full-text click on the report title above
Abstract:
A revision of the 2000 British Association for Psychopharmacology evidence based guidelines for treating depressive disorders with antidepressants was undertaken to incorporate new [...]

Treatment of Insomnia

Treatment of insomnia , Psychiatry, Volume 6, Issue 7, July 2007, Pages 301-304
Free full-text click on the title above
Abstract:
Insomnia has a major impact on health, performance, economic productivity and quality of life. It is important to assess patients with sleep disturbance comprehensively and distinguish insomnia from other conditions, such as excessive daytime sleepiness [...]

Are antidepressants safe in the treatment of bipolar depression? A critical evaluation of their potential risk to induce switch into mania or cycle acceleration

Are antidepressants safe in the treatment of bipolar depression? A critical evaluation of their potential risk to induce switch into mania or cycle acceleration, Early view, Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Published Online: 26 Aug 2008
Abstract:
To address whether switch of depression into hypomania or mania or cycle acceleration in patients with bipolar disorder is caused by antidepressants or [...]

The use of pharmacological treatments for people with personality disorder: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

The use of pharmacological treatments for people with personality disorder: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials, Personality and Mental Health, Volume 2, Issue 3, Date: July 2008, Pages: 119-170

Abstract:
This is a companion paper to our earlier review of psychological treatments for people with personality disorder that examined the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Here, we report on [...]

NHS Choices Behind the Headlines story on a new Alzheimers drug

NHS Choices Behind the Headlines story on a new Alzheimers drug, 1st August 2008, Department of Health
Click on Title for full-text access
30 July 2008 – Alzheimer’s drug development
Extensive news coverage has been given to a new Alzheimer’s treatment which has been hailed as a “major break through”. The Daily Mail quoted it as being the [...]

Behavioral Activation & Cognitive Therapy – Randomized trial of behavioral activation, cognitive therapy, and antidepressant medication in the prevention of relapse and recurrence in major depression.

Randomized trial of behavioral activation, cognitive therapy, and antidepressant medication in the prevention of relapse and recurrence in major depression, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2008  Volume 76, Issue 3 pg 468-477
Abstract
This study followed treatment responders from a randomized controlled trial of adults with major depression. Patients treated with medication but withdrawn onto pill-placebo [...]

Most Read Article June 2008 from Evidence-Based Mental Health – Citalopram-resistant depression: cognitive therapy and medication similarly effective as second line treatments

Citalopram-resistant depression: cognitive therapy and medication similarly effective as second line treatments, Evidence-Based Mental Health 2008;11:48
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Abstract:
Cognitive therapy or pharmacotherapy as second-line for people with citalopram-resistant depression—which is more effective.
304 out-patients with non-psychotic major depressive disorder (clinically established diagnosis verified through DSM-IV criteria) enrolled in the Sequenced Treatment [...]

High-dose and combination antipsychotic prescribing in acute adult wards in the UK: the challenges posed by p.r.n. prescribing

High-dose and combination antipsychotic prescribing in acute adult wards in the UK: the challenges posed by p.r.n. prescribing, The British Journal of Psychiatry, June 2008; 192: 435 – 439
Abstract:
Clinical guidelines recommend the routine use of a single antipsychotic drug in a standard dose, but prescriptions for high-dose and combined antipsychotics are common in clinical [...]

Service Improvement Guide: Self administration of medicines in Mental Health Trusts

Service Improvement Guide: Self administration of medicines in Mental Health Trusts ,  April 2008, NPC, National Prescribing Centre
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Abstract:  Welcome to this short guide describing some of the work undertaken through the collaborative
programmes hosted by the Medicines Management Services (MMS) Team based at the National Prescribing Centre (NPC) in Liverpool. Enabling [...]

Court of Appeal ruling on NICE guidance on the use of Alzheimer’s drugs

 
Court of Appeal ruling on NICE guidance on the use of Alzheimer’s drugs ,2nd May 2008, NeLM, Nice Guidance & BBC news   

Abstract: BBC Health news reports that the Court of Appeal has ruled that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) should have been more transparent in the way it made decisions over Alzheimer’s [...]

Dementia – Always a last resort: Inquiry into the prescription of antipsychotic drugs to people with dementia living in care homes

  Always a last resort: Inquiry into the prescription of antipsychotic drugs to people with dementia living in care homes, Alzheimer’s Society , 28th April 2008
Abstract:
An influential group of MPs is calling on the Government to stop the dangerous over-prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to people with dementia.
Up to 105,000 people with dementia are given [...]

New Cochrane Review – Paliperidone for schizophrenia

  Paliperidone for schizophrenia, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008 Issue 2, Art. No.: CD006369
Abstract: According to a Cochrane systematic review comparing the effects of oral paliperidone with other treatments for schizophrenia, oral paliperidone is more efficacious than placebo, and has an adverse effect profile similar to risperidone.The authors included data from randomised controlled trials [...]

Pharmacological Management of Psychosis in Alzheimer’s Disease

  The Art of Prescribing
Pharmacological Management of Psychosis in Alzheimer’s Disease: Clinical Challenges Associated With Second-Generation Antipsychotic Medications , Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, Volume 44 Issue 2 Page 120-123, April 2008
Abstract:

QUESTION. There is growing concern about the use of second-generation or atypical antipsychotic medications in the management of psychosis in patients with Alzheimer’s disease [...]

Dementia – Current Pharmacologic Treatment of Dementia: A Clinical Practice

    Current Pharmacologic Treatment of Dementia: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians,  Annals of Internal Medicine, 4 March 2008 | Volume 148 Issue 5 | Pages 370-378
Abstract: Description: The American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Physicians developed this guideline to present the [...]

Dementia – Effectiveness of Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Memantine for Treating Dementia: Evidence Review for a Clinical Practice Guideline

   Effectiveness of Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Memantine for Treating Dementia: Evidence Review for a Clinical Practice Guideline Annals of Internal Medicine, 4 March 2008 | Volume 148 Issue 5 | Pages 379-397
Background: The effectiveness of the 5 U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved pharmacologic therapies for dementias in achieving clinically relevant improvements is unclear. Purpose: To review [...]

CBT for Weight gain associated with antipsychotic drugs

Cognitive behavioural therapy for weight gain associated with antipsychotic drugs,  Schizophrenia Research, Volume 91, Issues 1-3, March 2007, Pages 169-177
Abstract:
Background
Overweight and obesity are common concerns in individuals with severe mental disorders. In particular, antipsychotic drugs (AP) frequently induce weight gain. This phenomenon lacks current management and no previous controlled studies seem to use cognitive therapy to [...]

Augmentation of antidepressants with atypical antipsychotics for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder

    Augmentation of antidepressants with atypical antipsychotics for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder , Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Volume 117, Issue 4, Page 253-259, Apr 2008
Abstract: Objective: Atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) have been hypothesized to be beneficial in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This paper will review a biochemical rationale and will summarize the data regarding the effectiveness of AAPs in [...]

CBT or SSRI Alone – Results of a Multicentre Trial

   Is a combined therapy more effective than either CBT or SSRI alone? Results of a multicenter trial on panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, April 2008, Acta Psychiatrica Scandinaviaca, Vol 117, (4) pg 260-270  
Abstract: Objective: To establish whether the combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy (SSRI) was more effective in treating panic disorder (PD) [...]

BMJ – Efficacy of Anitidepressants for Depression

   Efficacy of antidepressants,  March 2008, BMJ, 336:516-517
Abstract:  In February 2008, Kirsch and colleagues reported a meta-analysis of the efficacy of antidepressants using data from clinical trials submitted to the Food and Drug Administration.1 They provocatively concluded, “there seems little evidence to support the prescription of antidepressant medication to any but the most severely depressed patients.” [...]

CBT for Bipolar – Combining Medication Treatment and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Bipolar

   Combining Medication Treatment and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Bipolar, (2007) Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy: An International Quarterly
Abstract: Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a severe, recurrent psychiatric illness characterized by a chronic course of vacillating episodes of major depression and mania that impair functioning across many psychosocial domains {DSM-IV; DSM-FV-TR). Within each type of episode, changes occur [...]

Prozac, Seroxat are there any Antidepressant Benefits for Depression

   Initial Severity and Antidepressant Benefits: A Meta-Analysis of Data Submitted to the Food and Drug Administration , 26th February 2008, Plos Medicine, Systematic Review
Full-text click above link
Irving Kirsch, Brett J. Deacon, Tania B. Huedo-Medina, Alan Scoboria, Thomas J. Moore, Blair T. Johnson

There seems little reason to prescribe anti-depressant medication to any but the most [...]