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Poison control reports show increase in adverse exposures to drugs for depression
Serious outcomes after overdose or unintentional exposure to medications used to treat depression rose steadily in the period from 2000 to 2014, with both older and newer drugs contributing to the problem, according to a new study. The study's lead author suggests that many clinicians remain largely unaware of the relative dangers of these medications, including a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class that once was believed to result in virtually no morbidity or mortality. Study results were published online Jan. 31 in the American Journal of Psychiatry. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - April 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Depression Treatment Source Type: research

Research Roundup
Lithium, sertraline therapies show similar results for bipolar II depression Antipsychotics increase diabetes risk in patients with schizophrenia Lithium for bipolar disorder shows strong effect in reducing hospitalization Psychiatric medication may reduce risk of alcohol use in periods of distress Glycopyrrolate at 2‐mg dose reduces night salivation in clozapine patients Intranasal oxytocin shows potential in preventing PTSD symptoms (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - April 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Research Roundup Source Type: research

D ‐cycloserine shows small effect in augmenting CBT for anxiety disorders
The partial N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate agonist D‐cycloserine resulted in greater improvement post‐treatment compared with placebo as augmentation of exposure‐based therapy in patients with an anxiety disorder, but the effect was small and the difference with placebo was not sustained at follow‐up, a meta‐analysis has found. Contrary to researchers' hypothesis prior to the review, antidepressant use did not moderate the effects of D‐cycloserine. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - April 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Injectable aripiprazole shows efficacy, safety in treating bipolar disorder
Long‐acting injectable (LAI) aripiprazole reduced the rate of recurrence of mood episodes in a placebo‐controlled study of patients with bipolar I disorder who had been stabilized on the monthly antipsychotic treatment. The findings of this study could indicate a useful approach for improving treatment adherence in patients with bipolar disorder, according to the researchers. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - April 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Paroxetine and transient ischemic attack
Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is widespread, related in part to their relatively benign side‐effect profile and a good safety record, even in overdose cases. Although the SSRIs as a group are commonly used for the treatment of depression in elderly patients, the SSRI paroxetine recently was identified as a potentially inappropriate medication to be used in this population, in part because of its greater anticholinergic properties. The following study evaluated the risk of mortality associated with the use of paroxetine versus other SSRIs in elderly nursing home residents with depression. (Source:...
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - April 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Y. W. Francis Lam Tags: Drug ‐Drug Interactions Source Type: research

Initiation to injectable naltrexone likelier after rapid detoxification from opioids
Results of a new study suggest that opioid‐dependent patients receiving a rapid outpatient detoxification using naltrexone are more likely to be successfully inducted to injectable naltrexone than patients receiving a standard buprenorphine only–assisted detoxification. The study's research team stated that the naltrexone‐assisted regimen offers a promising alternative to traditional methods associated with high attrition and relapse rates. Study results were published online Jan. 10 in the American Journal of Psychiatry. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - April 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Addiction Treatment Source Type: research

ADHD drugs linked to reduced risk of depression in national cohort study
A nationwide cohort study of individuals with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Sweden has found no association between ADHD medication and later risk of depression. Instead, depression risk actually was lower in individuals receiving an ADHD drug, the researchers reported. Study results were published Dec. 15, 2016, in Biological Psychiatry. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - March 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: ADHD Treatment Source Type: research

Drug Safety Communication
(Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - March 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: From the FDA Source Type: research

Research Roundup
Antipsychotic use in COPD patients linked to acute respiratory failure No evidence for high‐dose baclofen in trial for alcohol dependence Pretreatment blood pressure can predict veterans' response to PTSD drug Maintenance medication could improve tobacco abstinence in SMI population Interim dosing of buprenorphine improves outcomes over waitlist Link between lithium, Alzheimer's risk not supported in population‐based study (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - March 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Research Roundup Source Type: research

Palliative care patients have worsening symptoms of delirium with risperidone, haloperidol
Antipsychotic drugs often are prescribed to relieve symptoms of delirium in patients receiving palliative care, but a randomized trial has found that patients receiving an antipsychotic over a 72‐hour period actually saw a worsening of delirium symptoms relative to placebo. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - March 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Review highlights poor rates of patient retention in buprenorphine treatment
Although a number of studies have concluded that there is little benefit from adding a behavioral intervention to buprenorphine maintenance treatment for opioid dependence, a review of the research demonstrates ongoing limitations in the effectiveness of buprenorphine treatment as currently practiced, including a high dropout rate. The results indicate the need for more individualized treatment approaches for patients receiving buprenorphine, according to researchers. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - March 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: What's New in Research Source Type: research

Valproate and paliperidone interaction
Antiepileptic drugs are frequently used in the management of psychiatric conditions, particularly bipolar disorder. Since most psychotropic agents and antiepileptic drugs share the same metabolic pathways for elimination, there is a high likelihood of interactions between these two groups of drugs. Investigators recently examined the interaction potential between valproate and the atypical antipsychotic paliperidone in healthy volunteers and in patients with psychiatric disorders. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - March 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Y. W. Francis Lam Tags: Drug ‐Drug Interactions Source Type: research

Pharmacogenomic testing in depression has limited evidence base so far
Pharmacogenomic testing to inform the selection of an antidepressant has demonstrated limited evidence of effectiveness thus far, concludes a systematic review published online Jan. 3 in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. The relevant studies that have been conducted to this point have been weakened by methodological limitations and significant bias, researchers stated. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - March 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Depression Treatment Source Type: research

Replication trial of omega ‐3s shows no effect in preventing psychosis
A randomized clinical trial involving more than 300 patients has found no benefit from omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in conjunction with cognitive therapy in preventing onset of psychotic illness in at‐risk young adults. The trial, results of which were published online Nov. 23, 2016, in JAMA Psychiatry, failed to replicate results of an earlier study indicating that omega‐3s were superior to placebo in reducing the risk of transition to psychosis. (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - February 21, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Alternative Treatments Source Type: research

Research Roundup
Adequate amount of time in bed may improve antidepressant response Cariprazine found generally safe in long‐term treatment of schizophrenia Review finds small effect for allopurinol in bipolar disorder Adjunctive minocycline shows efficacy in treating schizophrenia N‐acetylcysteine promising in improving cognition in patients with psychosis Meta‐analysis suggests modafinil may be effective in ADHD treatment (Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update)
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - February 20, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Research Roundup Source Type: research