Alternative Treatments for Depression

Topics: Antidepressants | Depressive Disorder | Natural Medications | Seasonal Affective Disorder

No clinician wants to be a “pill-pusher,” and most of our patients do not want that kind of treatment. So what can we offer our depressed patients beyond medications? In this article, we’ll review the literature on nonpharmacological strategies, including dietary supplements, food recommendations, light therapy, yoga and mindfulness meditation, an

Antidepressants: Little Long-Term Benefit for Bipolar Disorder

Topics: Antidepressants | Bipolar Disorder

Scopolamine as an Antidepressant?

Topics: Antidepressants | Depressive Disorder

Antidepressants May Not Induce Mania in Bipolar Disorder

Topics: Antidepressants | Bipolar Disorder

Which Antidepressant to Choose?

Topics: Antidepressants

There is a strange disconnect between what we psychiatrists do in daily practice and what official antidepressant (AD) treatment guidelines recommend. Treatment guidelines typically say, essentially, that all antidepressants are equal in efficacy, but real psychiatrists have strong personal preferences, based on some combination of the scientific litera

Pristiq: An Update

Topics: Antidepressants

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine extendedrelease tablet) was approved by the FDA in February of 2008 for the treatment of major depression. In the April 2008 issue of TCPR, we reviewed the efficacy data available at that time. We concluded that it is a marginally effective antidepressant with no clear advantages over its precursor molecule, venlafaxine extended

Seroquel XR For Depression? Two Recent Studies Weigh In

Topics: Antidepressants

Effective Psychiatric Medications for Eating Disorders

Topics: Antidepressants | Eating Disorders

Because of the dearth of FDA –approved medications for eating disorders, psychotherapy has gradually become the treatment of choice. Nonetheless, clinical trials of off-label uses of various medications have yielded a few impressive results, particularly for bulimia and binge eating disorder. Here’s a quick run down of various meds that may be worth

Unclear Relationship Between SSRI Use and Gestational Hypertension

Topics: Antidepressants

Two New Meta-Analyses Compare Antidepressants

Topics: Antidepressants

Risperidone Shows Mixed Results in Augmenting Antidepressant Treatment

Topics: Antidepressants

SSRI Discontinuation Linked to Poor Outcomes

Topics: Antidepressants

Antidepressants and Suicidal Ideation

Topics: Antidepressants | Child Psychiatry

Antidepressant Dose Escalation Not Found Helpful in Improving Outcomes

Topics: Antidepressants

Little guidance provided for second- step antidepressant selection

Topics: Antidepressants

Viagra reduces SSRI-induced sexual side effects in women

Topics: Antidepressants | Women's Issues in Psychiatry

Placebo response is usually long-lasting

Topics: Antidepressants

Antidepressants and Bipolar Disorder: An Update

Topics: Antidepressants | Bipolar Disorder

Much of what is confusing and controversial in the treatment of bipolar disorder revolves around the role of antidepressants. Are they dangerous or safe? Are they effective or ineffective? Does it matter whether the patient has Bipolar I or II? Do antidepressants cause manic switching? In some circles, even asking this question is tantamount to as

Orally disintegrating Zyprexa appears to cause less weight gain

Topics: Antidepressants

Pristiq vs. Effexor

Topics: Antidepressants

After many years of trying, Wyeth finally received FDA approval for its new antidepressant, Pristiq (desvenlafaxine). Don’t get too excited, though – Pristiq is simply the active metabolite of Effexor and it’s unclear whether it adds anything of value to our current quiver of antidepressants. Initial Efficacy Studies Thus far, three placebo-