Antidepressants Don’t Raise Dementia Risk, With One Exception

Topics: Research Updates

Review of: Heath L et al, JAGS 2018;66(10):1948–1955 Type of study: Prospective cohort study Depression is a risk factor for dementia, but can antidepressants change that risk? Some, like paroxetine (Paxil), have anticholinergic properties that can impair cognition. This study looked at what that means for the risk of dementia. This was a pro

Polypharmacy in Schizophrenia

Topics: Research Updates | Schizophrenia

REVIEW OF: Tiihonen J et al, JAMA Psychiatry 2019;76(5):499–507 and Stroup T et al, JAMA Psychiatry 2019;76(5):508–515 TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective non-randomized controlled trials Antipsychotic polypharmacy is discouraged in guidelines but common in practice. Up to 30% of patients with schizophrenia are prescribed multiple antipsychotics, and com

Lisdexamfetamine for BED: How Effective Over the Long Term?

Topics: Eating Disorders | Research Updates

Review of: Hudson JI et al, JAMA Psychiatry 2017;74(9):903–910. Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is an extended release amphetamine-based stimulant that is approved for both ADHD and binge eating disorder (BED). To refresh your memory, BED is defined as recurrent episodes (at least once a week over 3 months) of binge eating without compensatory weight lo

Is There a Connection Between Hormonal Contraception and Suicide?

Topics: Research Updates

Review of: Skovlund CW et al, Am J Psychiatry 2017 Nov 17 appiajp201717060616. [Epub ahead of print] Clinical evidence is growing regarding an association between hormonal contraception and mood disturbances (Skovlund CW et al, JAMA Psychiatry 2016;73(11):1154–1162), and recently researchers at the University of Copenhagen published a study attempt

Does Guanfacine Affect Tic Severity in Children With Chronic Tic Disorders?

Topics: OCD | Research Updates

Review Of: Murphy TK et al, J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2017;20(20):1–9 Tic disorders, including Tourette’s, often co-occur with ADHD, OCD, and anxiety disorders. Guanfacine is often tried for all of these conditions. Randomized placebo-controlled trials of immediate release guanfacine have been mixed, with one showing 31% improvement in tics

Aripiprazole Augmentation May Improve Remission Rates in MDD

Topics: Antidepressants | Research Updates

Review of: Mohamed S et al, JAMA 2017;318(2):132–145 It seems like an endless debate: When a patient does not respond to the first trial of an antidepressant, what should we do? Switch to something else? Augment with another agent? If the latter, how often should that augmenting agent be an atypical antipsychotic? The VA Augmentation and Switching

Fluoxetine Plus CBT for Somatic Symptom Disorder

Topics: Research Updates

Review of: Fallon BA et al, Am J Psychiatry 2017;174(8):756–764 Somatic symptom disorder (formerly known as hypochondriasis) is pretty common, with a prevalence of 5%–7%, and is much more likely to afflict women than men, with a gender ratio of about 10:1. While both psychotherapy and SSRI treatment are helpful, there is limited evidence about th

Does Methylphenidate Use in Children and Young Adults Increase Risk of Suicide?

Topics: ADHD | Child Psychiatry | Research Updates

Review Of: Man KKC et al, JAMA Psychiatry 2017;74(10):1048–1055 Some studies have indicated that patients with ADHD may be at an increased risk of suicide. While these studies have shown associations between methylphenidate use and suicide, it is not clear whether the stimulant actually causes suicidality or whether patients taking stimulants are s

Take The CME Post-Test for Dual Diagnosis, CATR, August 2017

Topics: Practice Tools and Tips | Psychopharmacology Tips | Research Updates | Substance Abuse

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers only (December 31, 2017). By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 1 CME credit. Click here to take your CME test. Note: All of the CME tests are available in the “My Account” section of the site when you are logged

Which Are the Most Dangerous Antidepressants?

Topics: Antidepressants | Psychopharmacology | Research Updates

Review of: Nelson JC and Spyker DA, Am J Psychiatry 2017;174(5):438–450 Study type: Retrospective cohort We often prescribe antidepressants to patients who are suicidal, and unfortunately, some people use these very medications to try to kill themselves. It’s been known for some time that tricyclic antidepressants are among the most toxic in

High-Dose Citalopram and Escitalopram: Undeserved Bad Rap?

Topics: Depressive Disorder | Psychopharmacology Tips | Research Updates

Review of: Ray WA et al, High-dose citalopram and escitalopram and the risk of out-of-hospital death. J Clin Psychiatry 2016. doi:10.4088/JCP.15m10324 Study type: Retrospective cohort study Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered the first-line treatment for depression; however, our confidence in their safety took a hit when

Statins and SSRIs Together Lead to Better Outcomes in Depression

Topics: Depressive Disorder | Research Updates

Large Study Finds Antipsychotic Use During First Trimester Does Not Increase Risk of Malformations

Topics: Antipsychotics | Research Updates

SSRIs May Work More Quickly in Pediatric OCD Than You Realize

Topics: OCD | Psychopharmacology Tips | Research Updates

Review of: Varigonda A et al. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2016; ahead of publication. STUDY TYPE: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis The pharmacological treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for adults is pretty well worked out. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the

Metformin Use in Autistic Children Taking Atypical Antipsychotics

Topics: Antipsychotics | Autism Spectrum Disorder | Child Psychiatry | Research Updates

Review of: Anagnostou E, Aman MG, Handen BL, et al. JAMA Psychiatry 2016;73:928–937. STUDY TYPE: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial Atypical antipsychotics are commonly used to reduce irritability and agitation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although effective, these medications lead to weight gain

Whole-Body Hyperthermia for Depression: Effective or Too Early to Tell?

Topics: Depressive Disorder | Research Updates

Efficacy of Quetiapine in PTSD

Topics: Psychopharmacology Tips | PTSD | Research Updates

Treating Complicated Grief: Grief-Focused Psychotherapy Is More Effective Than Citalopram

Topics: Depressive Disorder | DSM | Psychopharmacology Tips | Research Updates

Vilazodone Not Effective for Cannabis Dependence

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychopharmacology Tips | Research Updates | Substance Abuse

Combining Alcohol With Caffeinated Energy Drinks Leads to Increased Alcohol Consumption

Topics: Addiction | Research Updates | Substance Abuse