Category Archives: E-learning

Vyvanse (Lisdexamphetamine) : the truth

 Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), a long-acting stimulant medication used in adults with ADHD, is one of the most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs. Given that 60% of adults who were children with ADHD have symptoms that persist to adulthood, long-term treatment may be necessary. If you’re taking Vyvanse long-term or thinking about starting it, what are some lesser-known but […]

Fear of falling : efficacy of virtual reality associated with serious games in elderly people.

Fear of falling : efficacy of virtual reality associated with serious games in elderly people. Abstract : OBJECTIVE : Fear of falling is defined as an ongoing concern about falling that is not explained by physical examination. Focusing on the psychological dimension of this pathology (phobic reaction to walking), we looked at how virtual reality […]

FDA approved psychoactive medication for Children

Fluoxetine for Pediatric Patients US FDA Approved for Pediatric Use Major depressive disorder (fluoxetine, ages 8 and older) Obsessive compulsive disorder (fluoxetine, ages 7 and older) Bipolar depression [in combination with olanzapine (Symbyax), ages 10 and older] Off-Label for Pediatric Use But Approved in Adults Panic disorder (fluoxetine, fluoxetine weekly) Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (Sarafem) Bulimia […]

Electro-Convulsive therapy : Facts and Myths

As evidence supporting the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat patients with depression and other psychiatric illnesses continues to grow, myths about this treatment persist. In light of these myths, patients might be reluctant to receive ECT. As clinicians, we need to educate patients about the safety and effectiveness of this treatment. Here are […]

TOPIRAMATE

Topiramate What’s of Interest: In 2014, Topamax (topiramate) became the first medication approved to prevent migraine headaches in adolescents (ages 12 to 17) Brands Topamax, others Class Anticonvulsant, voltage-sensitive sodium channel modulator Approved For: Migraine prophylaxis (ages 12 and older)  Other indications include partial onset seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, and chronic […]

OLANZAPINE

Olanzapine What’s of Interest: US FDA warned that olanzapine is associated with a rare but serious skin condition known as Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia (DRESS). DRESS may begin as a rash but can progress to others parts of the body and can include symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, swollen face, inflammation of organs, […]

CLOZAPINE

Clozapine What’s of Interest: Clozapine REMS and ANC monitoring update Brands Clozaril, Leponex, Versacloz (oral suspension), Fazaclo ODT (oral disintegrating tablet) Class Atypical antipsychotic (serotonin-dopamine antagonist; second-generation antipsychotic; also a mood stabilizer) Approved For: Treatment-resistant schizophrenia   Reduction in risk of recurrent suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder     Formulation: Tablet […]

Agomelatin = Valdoxan

1 AGOMELATINE THERAPEUTICS Brands • Valdoxan see index for additional brand names Generic? No Class • Neuroscience-based Nomenclature: melatonin multi-modal (Mel-MM) • Agonist at melatonergic 1 and melatonergic 2 receptors • Antagonist at 5HT2C receptors Commonly Prescribed for (bold for FDA approved) • Depression How the Drug Works • Actions at both melatonergic and 5HT2C […]

Psychiatry’s ‘C’ words

      Current Psychiatry. 2018 July;17(7):4,6 By Henry A. Nasrallah, MD Recently, contemporary “culture” has capriciously confounded and confused our national community with a cringe-worthy “C” word. Unfortunately, this was followed by only transient public consternation, reflecting the coarsening of our social communication and discourse and the cant of many. But the ripple effects continue. As a psychiatrist who closely observes the human condition, I contemplated the current confrontational tone […]

New marijuana-based pharmaceutical drug approved by FDA

What is Epidiolex? Epidiolex is an oral liquid-based drug made from the cannabidiol (CBD) portion of cannabis. Compared to the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) portion, CBD is not psychoactive, so taking this drug would not result in a high for the user. CBD acts on different parts of the nervous system compared with THC. According to the […]

May 21, 2018   :FDA Approves First Non-Opioid to Treat Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms 

    The US FDA has approved the first non-opioid treatment for the relief of opioid withdrawal symptoms. The medication, lofexidine hydrochloride (trade name Lucemyra), is an oral, selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that reduces the release of norepinephrine, which may lead to relief of autonomic withdrawal symptoms. Loxefidine is not approved for the treatment […]

Beyond DSM-5: Clinical and biologic features shared by major psychiatric syndromes

Current Psychiatry. 2017 October;16(10):4,6-7 Author(s): Henry A. Nasrallah, MD Author and Disclosure Information Imagine the rich landscape of psychopathology as an Amazon jungle. The DSM diagnostic schema describes the individual trees but overlooks the fascinating patterns within the forest. It does not adequately inform psychiatric practitioners about the many clinical and biologic features shared across the […]

Advancing clinical neuroscience literacy among psychiatric practitioners

Current Psychiatry. 2017 September;16(9):17-18 Author(s): Henry A. Nasrallah, MD Author and Disclosure Information It is time for psychiatric clinicians to move beyond the traditional practice of describing psychopathology in terms of signs and symptoms, which is perpetuated by the DSM diagnostic schemas. An abundance of recent neuroscience advances is directly related to psychiatric disorders, because the […]

The crisis of poor physical health and early mortality of psychiatric patients

Current Psychiatry. 2018 April;17(4):7-8,11 Author(s): Henry A. Nasrallah, MD Author and Disclosure Information PDF PDF PDF DOWNLOAD It is well established that general medical conditions can be associated with various psychiatric disorders. But the reverse is less recognized: That serious mental illness is associated with many physical maladies, often leading to early mortality. Thus, it is a bi-directional […]

Is there a place for cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of psychiatric disorders?

    Cannabidiol (CBD) is considered to be a nonpsychotomimetic and nonpsychoactive derivative of Cannabis sativa. It was patented by the US Department of Health and Human Services in 2003 as an antioxidant and neuroprotectant. CBD has a complex mode of action which includes inverse agonism (functionally an antagonist) of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, mild monoamine […]