Topics: Depression | Depressive Disorder | Esketamine | Pharmacology | Treatment-Resistant Depression

On March 5, 2019, the FDA approved esketamine (Spravato) nasal spray as add-on therapy to traditional antidepressant medications for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). In this article, I will describe the events that led to esketamine’s development, review the data submitted to the FDA, and discuss what the future might hold for esketamine.

Topics: Depression | Depressive Disorder | Esketamine | Pharmacology | Treatment-Resistant Depression

Certain psychiatric treatments require both the healthcare provider and patient to enroll in a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program before they are administered. Here are links to enroll.

Topics: Pharmacology | Pharmacology Tips | Side Effects

Does ginger ale treat nausea? Not really, but Dr. Mago has some better ideas, and this interview is packed with new and practical ways to manage common side effects of psychiatric medications.

When a patient presents with auditory hallucinations (AH), are you likely to diagnose a psychotic disorder? If no other symptoms are present, would you recommend an antipsychotic? If you answered yes to either question, there’s some new research that may change your mind.

Topics: Novel Medications | Pharmacology | Sleep Apnea | Sleep Disorders

Solriamfetol (Sunosi) was just approved for excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy and sleep apnea, but it may have important psychiatric effects as well.

Topics: Depression | Depressive Disorder | Pharmacology | Postpartum Depression | Pregnancy

Every week of depression takes a toll on infant development, so this rapid-acting treatment fills a unique need. Here we review the clinical data and the pragmatics of getting patients connected with the therapy.

Topics: Pharmacology | Pharmacology Tips | SSRIs | Withdrawal

The way we taper serotonergic antidepressants may need to be rethought, and this study suggests a new method.

Topics: Pharmacology | Pharmacology Tips | SSRIs | Withdrawal

Use this PDF tool to check if the patient is having any SSRI withdrawal symptoms at baseline.

Topics: Bipolar Disorder | Lithium | Medical Comorbidities | Mood Stabilizers | Pharmacology

Why does stroke matter in bipolar disorder? Because it’s the leading cause of death for these patients. Some mood stabilizers raise the stroke risk, while others do not.

Topics: Amphetamines | Novel Medications | OCD | Pharmacology

Two medications show promise in OCD, and their mechanisms are novel: one glutamatergic, one dopaminergic.

Topics: Depression | Depressive Disorder | Geriatric Psychiatry | Lithium | Psychopharmacology | Treatment-Resistant Depression

Lithium is underutilized in geriatric depression, but this study suggests it may have unique benefits there.

Topics: CME Post-Test

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers. By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits.