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Call For Longer-term Use Of Antidepressants (p 653)
February 19, 2003Authors of a UK study in this week's issue of THE LANCET highlight how longer-term use of antidepressants-by a year or more in addition to standard 4-6 month treatment-could substantially reduce the risk of relapse for people with depressive disorders.
Depression is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide. Short-term and medium-term therapy with antidepressants (usually four to six months) is often effective in alleviating depressive symptoms; however the long-term nature of many depressive disorders and the risk of many people to relapse after treatment begs the question: how long should antidepressants be taken?
John Geddes and colleagues from the University of Oxford, UK, pooled data from 31 randomised trials which included around 4400 patients. All participants in the trials had already received treatment for acute depressive disorders and were randomised to receive continuous treatment with antidepressants or placebo.
Treatment for one or two years with antidepressants substantially reduced the likelihood of relapse compared with those who discontinued active treatment. The average rate of relapse on placebo was around double that of treatment-41% compared with 18%. The proportional reduction in risk of depressive relapse was generally independent of the underlying risk of relapse, the duration of treatment before randomisation, or the duration of short-term and medium-term therapy.
Co-author Guy Goodwin comments: "Few other interventions in psychiatry are supported by such robust findings, based on more than 4000 patients in randomised trials. We know that many patients remain at appreciable risk of recurrence after 4-6 months of treatment with antidepressants, and another one or two years of continuation treatment will approximately halve their risk of another episode. In other words, the positive benefits of antidepressants do not wear off over time. Many patients who do exceptionally well may elect to take such medicines indefinitely rather than increase the risk of further illnesses by stopping. "
Lancet
Treatment for one or two years with antidepressants substantially reduced the likelihood of relapse compared with those who discontinued active treatment. The average rate of relapse on placebo was around double that of treatment-41% compared with 18%. The proportional reduction in risk of depressive relapse was generally independent of the underlying risk of relapse, the duration of treatment before randomisation, or the duration of short-term and medium-term therapy.
Co-author Guy Goodwin comments: "Few other interventions in psychiatry are supported by such robust findings, based on more than 4000 patients in randomised trials. We know that many patients remain at appreciable risk of recurrence after 4-6 months of treatment with antidepressants, and another one or two years of continuation treatment will approximately halve their risk of another episode. In other words, the positive benefits of antidepressants do not wear off over time. Many patients who do exceptionally well may elect to take such medicines indefinitely rather than increase the risk of further illnesses by stopping. "
Lancet
Antidepressants Current Events and Antidepressants News RSSA new generation of rapid-acting antidepressants?
Conventional antidepressant treatments generally require three to four weeks to become effective, thus the discovery of treatments with a more rapid onset is a major goal of biological psychiatry.
If children won't go to school
Children and adolescents who refuse to attend school should not be given doctors' sick notes.
Melatonin Precursor Stimulates Growth Factor Circuits in Brain
Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have discovered unexpected properties for a precursor to melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep cycles.
New Study Indicates many Physicians not using Established Criteria to Diagnose Major Depressive Disorder
A new study led by Mark Zimmerman, MD, of Rhode Island Hospital indicates that a majority of non-psychiatrist physicians and a substantial minority of psychiatrists reported that they often do not use the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) when diagnosing major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients. The study appears online ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
UB Specialized Exercise Regimen Shown to Relieve Prolonged Concussion Symptoms
University at Buffalo researchers are the first to show that a controlled individualized exercise training program can bring athletes and others suffering with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) back to the playing field or to their daily activities.
Reducing dosage of Parkinson's drugs can cause symptoms similar to those of cocaine withdrawal
New research has shown that reducing the dosage of dopamine agonist (DA) drugs, a mainstay treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), sometimes causes acute withdrawal symptoms similar to those reported by cocaine addicts -- including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, sweating, nausea, generalized pain, fatigue, dizziness and drug cravings.
St. John's wort not helpful treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, Mayo Clinic researchers say
A Mayo Clinic research study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology finds that St. John's wort is not an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Pain management failing as fears of prescription drug abuse rise
Millions of Americans with significant or chronic pain associated with their medical problems are being under-treated as physicians increasingly fail to provide comprehensive pain treatment - either due to inadequate training, personal biases or fear of prescription drug abuse.
Study links restless leg syndrome with erectile dysfunction in older men
A study in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that erectile dysfunction was more common in older men with restless leg syndrome (RLS) than in those without RLS, and the magnitude of this association increased with a higher frequency of RLS symptoms.
Antidepressants May Change Personality, Leading to Reduced Depression, Says Penn Collaboration
Examining data obtained from a University of Pennsylvania and Vanderbilt University psychology study, researchers at these universities and Northwestern University have reported the first placebo-controlled evidence that antidepressant medications-particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs-can substantially change patients' personalities. The personality changes also appeared to be linked to long-term improvements in mood.
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America Fooled: The Truth About Antidepressants, Antipsychotics And How We've Been Deceived by Timothy Scott (Author) America Fooled is the non-sensational, fact-filled story of how Americans have come to believe that depression and other mental problems are caused by chemical imbalances which can be fixed with pills. It reveals how the drug studies used to achieve FDA approval are designed, paid for and written by the drug companies themselves and are purposely deceptive. Part 1 of America Fooled is focused on antidepressants, their effectiveness, and their side effects including the permanent brain damage that results from long-term use about which so few Americans have any knowledge (including those who prescribe and those who take antidepressants). Part 2 deals with the various approaches used throughout history to treat more serious mental problems including the use of antipsychotics. The side... |
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Amoryn Depression Anxiety Relief (60 Caps) by BioNeurix Corporation AMORYN works by increasing the levels of all four of the brain's "feel good" neurotransmitters. By providing an all-natural boost to serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA, the ingredients in AMORYN can help you feel happy, calm, and confident.serotonin levels. As a precursor to serotonin, 5-HTP provides the brain with the "building blocks" needed to produce more serotonin naturally. |
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The Emperor's New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth by Irving Kirsch Ph.D. (Author) Do antidepressants work? Of course—everyone knows it. Like his colleagues, Irving Kirsch, a researcher and clinical psychologist, for years referred patients to psychiatrists to have their depression treated with drugs before deciding to investigate for himself just how effective the drugs actually were. Over the course of the past fifteen years, however, Kirsch’s research—a thorough analysis of decades of Food and Drug Administration data—has demonstrated that what everyone knew about antidepressants was wrong. Instead of treating depression with drugs, we’ve been treating it with suggestion. The Emperor’s New Drugs makes an overwhelming case that what had seemed a cornerstone of psychiatric treatment is little more than a faulty consensus. But Kirsch does more than just... |
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The Antidepressant Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence, and "Addiction" by Joseph Glenmullen (Author) With the FDA's warning that antidepressants may cause agitation, anxiety, hostility, and even violent or suicidal tendencies, these medications are at the forefront of national legal news. Harvard physician Joseph Glenmullen has led the charge to warn the public that antidepressants are overprescribed, underregulated, and, especially, misunderstood in their side and withdrawal effects. Now he offers a solution! More than twenty million Americans -- including over one million teens and children -- take one of today's popular antidepressants, such as Paxil, Zoloft, or Effexor. Dr. Glenmullen recognizes the many benefits of antidepressants and prescribes them to his patients, but he is also committed to warning the public of the dangers associated with overprescription. Dr. Glenmullen's... |
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Nature Made RX Essentials Anti-Depressants Tablets, 60-Count Tablets by Nature Made Daily Supplement. Tailored to your prescription. Take with: Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac, Effexor XR. Provides essential nutrients for people taking antidepressant medication. No artificial flavors. No preservatives. No yeast or gluten. Your prescription drugs are important to your health and will function without this product. RX Essentials are not intended to replace your prescription drugs. However, people taking antidepressents such as SSRIs and SNRIs may benefit from supplementation with the essential nutrients in this product. If you take prescriptions, take RX Essentials. People taking prescription medications may be more likely to have reduced levels of certain nutrients, low nutrient levels may lead to problems down the road. That's why Nature Made examined numerous clinical studies... |
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The New Antidepressants and Antianxieties by William S. Appleton (Author) As the number of people suffering from depression rises, so does the number of treatments that flood the market. In this new third edition, Harvard Medical School professor William S. Appleton shares the latest research findings and treatment techniques, along with illuminating case histories, to answer readers’ questions about the new antidepressants and antianxieties. This practical guide includes information on: • The newest antidepressants—Lexapro and Cymbalta • Treating anger and irritability, conquering insomnia • A preview of future treatments • How and when to get off the drugs • Side effects such as sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and insomnia This completely revised and updated edition gives a balanced view of the... |
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Xmood - Reduce Stress and Anxiety, Elevate Your Mood (Single Pack) - 90 Capsules - My Natural Relief by My Natural Relief Xmood is an all-natural herbal antidepressant with clinically proven ingredients to fight mild depression. This safe and effective formula was suggested by Rita Elkins, M.H. in her highly acclaimed book Solving the mild depression Puzzle. The key ingredients include: St. John's Wort, 5-HTP, DHA, Ginkgo Biloba, and Folic Acid. These ingredients are combined with a proprietary blend to help people with mild to moderate mild depression. Many people who take prescription antidepressants are burdened with multiple side effects that can often be more devastating than the mild depression they are trying to treat. Xmood is a non-addictive herbal formula designed to treat mild depression naturally without a prescription. |
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