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Newer Antidepressants May Be Safe for Parkinson's Patients

Posted 11 Apr 2012 by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, April 11 – Some of the newer antidepressants can help treat depression in people with Parkinson's disease without aggravating other disease symptoms such as tremor or rigidity, researchers have found. Nearly 1 million people in the United States are living with Parkinson's disease, a progressive movement disorder marked by tremor, slowness and/or rigidity. Parkinson's disease and depression tend to travel together, and there has been concern that some of the medications used to treat depression may worsen motor symptoms. A new study published online April 11 and in the April 17 print issue of Neurology shows that this is not the case, at least when it comes to the antidepressants Paxil (paroxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine). Paxil is in the class of drugs known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) while Effexor is an SNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake ... Read more

Related support groups: Depression, Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Pristiq, Citalopram, Savella, Effexor XR, Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Venlafaxine

Minorities, Medicare Recipients Less Likely to Get Antidepressants

Posted 9 Apr 2012 by Drugs.com

MONDAY, April 9 – Hispanics and blacks are less likely to be prescribed antidepressants than whites, and Medicare and Medicaid patients are less likely to receive the drugs than those with private insurance, a new study says. University of Michigan School of Public Health researchers examined data from 1993 to 2007 and found that whites were 1.5 times more likely to receive antidepressants than blacks or Hispanics with major depression. The study also found that Medicare and Medicaid patients were 31 percent and 38 percent less likely to be prescribed antidepressants than privately insured patients. Race didn't play a role in the type of antidepressants prescribed to patients, but insurance did. Medicare and Medicaid patients were 58 percent and 61 percent less likely to receive newer antidepressants than privately insured patients. Newer types of antidepressants such as serotonin ... Read more

Related support groups: Depression, Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Trazodone, Pristiq, Citalopram, Savella, Effexor XR, Amitriptyline

Best Antidepressant May Depend on Patient: Study

Posted 5 Dec 2011 by Drugs.com

TBD – Newer antidepressants seem to be about as effective as one another, a new analysis indicates. This suggests that the choice of which drug is appropriate for which patient should be made on the basis of such considerations as side effects, cost and patient preference. "They're all equally effective," said Dr. David Schlager, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. "They're interchangeable except for side effects," he added, so psychiatrists do tend to "exploit the side-effect profile" to find suitable medications for individual patients, he added. According to the background information in the new study, appearing in the Dec. 6 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, some 27 million people in the United States had taken antidepressants as of 2005. Most of these drugs are "second-generation" ... Read more

Related support groups: Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Pristiq, Citalopram, Savella, Effexor XR, Fluoxetine, Bupropion, Sertraline

Fear of Antidepressants Keep Many From Disclosing Depression

Posted 13 Sep 2011 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, Sept. 13 – For a nation that seems ready to pop a pill for any ill, a new study suggests that the opposite seems true for some people with symptoms of depression, whose concerns about the side effects of antidepressants were the top reason they wouldn't disclose warning signs to their doctors. A phone survey of more than 1,000 adults who had previously participated in the California Behavioral Risk Factor Survey System, which probed depression-related beliefs, showed that 43 percent reported one or more reasons for not talking to their primary care physician about their depression. Nearly a quarter of them worried that their doctor would recommend antidepressants – the most frequently cited reason for withholding the information. Other stated barriers to sharing depressive symptoms included the belief that it's not a primary care physician's job to deal with emotional issues ... Read more

Related support groups: Depression, Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Trazodone, Pristiq, Citalopram, Savella, Effexor XR, Amitriptyline

Certain Antidepressants Linked to Falls in Nursing Homes

Posted 26 Jul 2011 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, July 26 – In the days after they start taking non-SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants, such as bupropion or venlafaxine, nursing home residents are at significantly greater risk for falls, according to a new study. Researchers found the increased risk for falls also applies to those who had a dosage increase of their current prescription. "Our results identify the days following a new prescription or increased dose of a non-SSRI antidepressant as a window of time associated with a particularly high risk of falling among nursing home residents," said study author Dr. Sarah D. Berry, a scientist at the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston. More closely monitoring these nursing home residents for two days after a change in these antidepressants could help prevent falls, the researchers said. In conducting the study, recently ... Read more

Related support groups: Depression, Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Pristiq, Citalopram, Savella, Effexor XR, Fluoxetine, Bupropion

Antidepressant Use Rising as Psychotherapy Rates Fall

Posted 6 Dec 2010 by Drugs.com

MONDAY, Dec. 6 – Even as fewer Americans have sought psychotherapy for their depression, antidepressant prescription rates have continued to climb in recent years, a new survey reveals. "This is an encouraging trend as it suggests that fewer depressed Americans are going without treatment," said study author Dr. Mark Olfson, a professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City. "At the same time, however, the decline in psychotherapy raises the possibility that many depressed patients are not receiving optimal care." "While progress is being made in increasing the availability of depression care, a mismatch is opening up between clinical evidence and practice," Olfson cautioned. "For many depressed adults and youth, a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants is the most effective approach. Yet, only about one-third of ... Read more

Related support groups: Depression, Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Trazodone, Pristiq, Citalopram, Savella, Effexor XR, Amitriptyline

FDA Clears Cymbalta to Treat Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

Posted 5 Nov 2010 by Drugs.com

Indications include osteoarthritis, chronic lower back pain ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 4, 2010--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain, including discomfort from osteoarthritis and chronic lower back pain. Cymbalta was first used to treat major depressive disorder in 2004. “Up to three quarters of the population experience chronic pain at some time in their lives," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “This approval means that many of those people now have another treatment option.” Since its initial approval, about 30 million patients in the United States have used Cymbalta. It was approved for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in 2004; generalized anxiety disorder and maintenance treatment of major depression in 2007; and fibromyalgia in 2008 ... Read more

Related support groups: Pain, Back Pain, Cymbalta, Osteoarthritis, Duloxetine

Antidepressant Use in U.S. Has Almost Doubled

Posted 16 Dec 2009 by Drugs.com

MONDAY, Aug. 3 – Antidepressant use among United States residents almost doubled between 1996 and 2005, along with a concurrent rise in the use of other psychotropic medications, a new report shows. The increase seemed to span virtually all demographic groups. "Over 10 percent of people over the age of 6 were receiving anti-depression medication. That strikes me as significant," said study author Dr. Mark Olfson, a professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City. According to background information in the study, antidepressants are now the most widely prescribed class of drugs in the United States. The expansion in use dates back to the 1980s, with the introduction of the antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine). The study found that 5.84 percent of U.S. residents aged 6 and over were using antidepressants in 1996, compared with ... Read more

Related support groups: Depression, Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Trazodone, Pristiq, Citalopram, Savella, Effexor XR, Amitriptyline

Psych Drugs Gaining Widespread Acceptance

Posted 16 Dec 2009 by Drugs.com

FRIDAY, July 31 – A growing number of Americans now have a positive opinion on psychiatric medications, a new study contends. About five out of six people surveyed felt psychiatric medications could help people control psychiatric symptoms, but many also expected the medications could help people deal with day-to-day stresses, help them feel better about themselves and make things easier with family and friends. "People's attitudes regarding psychiatric medications became more favorable between 1998 and 2006," said study author Dr. Ramin Mojtabai, an associate professor in the department of mental health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. Mojtabai expressed concern, however, that people's attitudes were increasingly positive, even in situations where there might not be a proven benefit to the drugs. "My hope would be for people to be more discriminating in ... Read more

FDA Approves Cymbalta for Maintenance Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Posted 2 Dec 2009 by Drugs.com

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov 30, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) for the maintenance treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults, Eli Lilly and Company announced today. "Since generalized anxiety disorder can be a chronic illness, it is important that doctors and their patients find a treatment option that is effective in both the acute and maintenance phase of treatment," said James M. Martinez, MD, U.S. Medical Director for Cymbalta. "With this additional approval, Cymbalta offers a new option for the maintenance treatment of this often-debilitating condition." The efficacy and safety of Cymbalta for the maintenance treatment of GAD were established in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients with GAD who initially had responded to treatment with Cymbalta 60-120 ... Read more

Related support groups: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Cymbalta, Duloxetine

Psychotropic Medications Associated With Risk of Falls in Older Adults

Posted 1 Dec 2009 by Drugs.com

CHICAGO, Nov. 23, 2009 - Older adults who take several types of psychotropic medications—such as antidepressants or sedatives—appear more likely to experience falls, according to an analysis of previous studies reported in the November 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. More than 30 percent of individuals older than 65 will fall at least once a year, and falls and their complications are the fifth-leading cause of death in the developed world, according to background information in the article. Each year, 85 percent of all injury-related hospital admissions and more than 40 percent of nursing home admissions are related to falls, and the annual costs related to falls and their complications are estimated to be in the billions of dollars worldwide. Both internal and external risk factors contribute to falls, and medications have previously been i ... Read more

Related support groups: Xanax, Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Klonopin, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Valium, Paxil, Ambien, Ativan, Clonazepam, Trazodone

Zoloft, Lexapro the Best of Newer Antidepressants

Posted 29 Jan 2009 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, Jan. 29 – Sertraline (Zoloft) and escitalopram (Lexapro) are the best of 12 new-generation antidepressants, while reboxetine is the least effective, a new analysis shows. The Italian researchers reviewed 117 studies that included more than 25,000 patients with major depression to come to this conclusion. The drugs tested in the trials were bupropion (Wellbutrin/Zyban), citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), milnacipran (Savella), mirtazapine (Remeron), paroxetine (Paxil), reboxetine (Edronax/Vestra), sertraline, and venlafaxine (Effexor). Based on their analysis, the review authors concluded sertraline and escitalopram were the best antidepressants overall in terms of efficacy and patient acceptability. Sertraline was found to be more effective than duloxetine by 30 percent, fluvoxamine (27 percent), fluoxetine (25 ... Read more

Related support groups: Depression, Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Remeron, Luvox, Symbyax, Aplenzin

Study Calls for Greater Scrutiny of 'Off-Label' Drug Use

Posted 24 Nov 2008 by Drugs.com

MONDAY, Nov. 24 – It's called "off-label" prescribing, and it's the common practice of doctors prescribing a drug to treat a disease or condition that's different from the one studied by federal regulators that led to the drug's approval in the first place. Despite the scope of the practice, there's often little evidence that using a drug for an unapproved purpose is always beneficial or safe, a new study found. The study by American researchers has identified 14 widely prescribed medications that they think need additional study to see how effective and safe they are for off-label use. Many of the drugs are antidepressants and antipsychotics. "Off-label prescribing is not based on the same level of evidence as on-label prescribing," said study lead researcher Surrey Walton, an assistant professor of pharmacy administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Most patients aren't ... Read more

Related support groups: Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Seroquel, Coumadin, Celebrex, Singulair, Zyprexa, Risperdal, Zestril, Epogen, Procrit, Prinivil, Desyrel

2nd Generation Antidepressants Prove Effective

Posted 18 Nov 2008 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, Nov. 18 – Second generation antidepressants are all equally effective, according to a new clinical practice guideline released by the American College of Physicians. The guideline authors reviewed more than 200 published studies about the benefits and risks of the following second generation drugs: bupropion, citalopram, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, mirtazapine, nefazodone, paroxetine, sertraline, trazodone and venlafaxine. "The studies we analyzed show that second generation drugs have different adverse effects but are equally effective for treating depression," lead author Dr. Amir Qaseem, senior medical associate in ACP's Clinical Programs and Quality of Care Department, said in a group news release. "ACP recommends that physicians make treatment decisions based on side effects, cost, and patient preferences, and make necessary changes in therapy if ... Read more

Related support groups: Depression, Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Remeron, Luvox, Aplenzin, Serzone, Desyrel

FDA Medwatch Alert: Antidepressant Medication Products

Posted 2 May 2007 by Drugs.com

[Posted 05/02/2007] FDA notified healthcare professionals that the Agency proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications update the existing black box warning on the prescribing information for their products to include warnings about the increased risks of suicidal thinking and behavior in young adults ages 18 to 24 years old during the first one to two months of treatment. The proposed labeling changes also state that scientific data did not show this increased risk in adults older than 24 years of age and that adults 65 years of age and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality. The proposed updates apply to the entire category of antidepressants. Individuals currently taking prescribed antidepressant medications should not stop taking them and should notify their healthcare professional if they have concerns. Manufacturers of antidepressant ... Read more

Related support groups: Depression, Lexapro, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Effexor, Seroquel, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Elavil, Remeron, Luvox, Nardil, Symbyax, Parnate

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