Matching articles for "Cipralex"
Drugs for Menopausal Symptoms
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 4, 2024; (Issue 1697)
The primary symptoms of menopause are genitourinary
and vasomotor. The genitourinary syndrome
of menopause (GSM) includes symptoms such as
burning, irritation, dryness, dyspareunia, dysuria,
and recurrent...
The primary symptoms of menopause are genitourinary
and vasomotor. The genitourinary syndrome
of menopause (GSM) includes symptoms such as
burning, irritation, dryness, dyspareunia, dysuria,
and recurrent urinary tract infection. Vasomotor
symptoms (VMS; hot flashes, night sweats) often
disrupt sleep.
Drugs for Depression
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 11, 2023; (Issue 1691)
A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is
generally used for initial treatment of major depressive
disorder (MDD). A serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitor (SNRI), bupropion (Wellbutrin SR,...
A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is
generally used for initial treatment of major depressive
disorder (MDD). A serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitor (SNRI), bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, and
others), and mirtazapine (Remeron, and others) are
reasonable alternatives. Improvement in symptoms
can occur within the first two weeks of treatment
with these drugs, but a substantial benefit may not be
achieved for 4-8 weeks.
Drugs for Anxiety Disorders
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 7, 2023; (Issue 1682)
Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder,
panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and various
phobias) are the most common form of psychiatric
illness. They can be treated effectively with...
Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder,
panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and various
phobias) are the most common form of psychiatric
illness. They can be treated effectively with cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or pharmacotherapy.
Brexpiprazole (Rexulti) for Agitation in Alzheimer's Dementia
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 26, 2023; (Issue 1679)
The FDA has approved the oral second-generation
antipsychotic drug brexpiprazole (Rexulti – Otsuka/Lundbeck) for once-daily treatment of agitation associated
with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease...
The FDA has approved the oral second-generation
antipsychotic drug brexpiprazole (Rexulti – Otsuka/Lundbeck) for once-daily treatment of agitation associated
with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Brexpiprazole is the first drug to be approved in the US
for this indication. It is also approved for treatment of
schizophrenia and as an adjunct to antidepressants for
treatment of major depressive disorder.
Drugs for Depression
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 24, 2020; (Issue 1592)
Complete remission of symptoms is the goal of
treatment for major depressive disorder; a partial
response is associated with an increased risk of
relapse. Improvement in symptoms can occur within
the first...
Complete remission of symptoms is the goal of
treatment for major depressive disorder; a partial
response is associated with an increased risk of
relapse. Improvement in symptoms can occur within
the first two weeks of treatment with an antidepressant,
but it may take 4-8 weeks to achieve a substantial
benefit. Following successful treatment of a first major
depressive episode, antidepressant treatment should
be continued at the same dose for at least 4-9 months
to consolidate recovery. In patients with recurrent
depressive episodes, long-term maintenance treatment
can reduce the risk of relapse.
Drugs for Anxiety Disorders
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 12, 2019; (Issue 1578)
Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, panic
disorder, social anxiety disorder, and various phobias)
are the most common form of psychiatric illness. They
can be treated effectively with cognitive...
Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, panic
disorder, social anxiety disorder, and various phobias)
are the most common form of psychiatric illness. They
can be treated effectively with cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT) and/or pharmacotherapy. Obsessive-compulsive
disorder and posttraumatic stress
disorder are now considered separate entities in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5); they can also be treated with CBT and many
of the same drugs.
Drugs for Depression
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 4, 2016; (Issue 1498)
Complete remission of symptoms is the goal of
antidepressant therapy; partial response is associated
with an increased risk of relapse. Improvement can
occur within the first two weeks of drug therapy,
but...
Complete remission of symptoms is the goal of
antidepressant therapy; partial response is associated
with an increased risk of relapse. Improvement can
occur within the first two weeks of drug therapy,
but it may take 4-8 weeks to achieve a substantial
benefit. Fewer than 50% of patients with depression
respond to first-line pharmacotherapy, and the rate of
response decreases with each subsequent drug trial.
Following remission after a first episode of depression,
many experts recommend continuing antidepressant
treatment at the same dose for at least 6-12 months
to consolidate recovery. For patients with recurrent
depressive episodes, long-term maintenance therapy
can reduce the risk of recurrence.
In Brief: Tamoxifen and SSRI Interactions
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 15, 2009; (Issue 1314)
Use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is common in women taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, and others) for breast cancer, both to treat depression and to decrease hot flashes. However, tamoxifen must...
Use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is common in women taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, and others) for breast cancer, both to treat depression and to decrease hot flashes. However, tamoxifen must be metabolized by CYP2D6 to become pharmacologically fully active (MJ Higgins et al. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2009; 7:203), and the SSRIs fluoxetine (Prozac, and others) and paroxetine (Paxil, and others) are strong inhibitors of CYP2D6. Sertraline (Zoloft, and others) inhibits CYP2D6 to a lesser extent. Citalopram (Celexa, and others) and escitalopram (Lexapro), the 2 other SSRIs approved for treatment of depression, are only weak inhibitors of CYP2D6.
Two observational studies presented at a recent meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (45th annual meeting, May 29-June 2, 2009, Orlando, FL abstracts CRA508, CRA509) examined the effect of strong inhibitors of CYP2D6 on the success rate of tamoxifen in preventing recurrence of breast cancer. One found that women who took fluoxetine, paroxetine or sertraline (or bupropion, duloxetine, terbinafine, quinidine or long-term diphenhydramine) with tamoxifen had a higher 2-year recurrence rate (13.9% vs. 7.5%). The other study found no association between cancer recurrence and use of a CYP2D6 inhibitor.
There is no good evidence that any one SSRI is more effective than any other for treatment of depression. For women who are taking tamoxifen and need to begin treatment with an SSRI to treat depression, citalopram or escitalopram might be the safest choice (Treat Guidel Med Lett 2006; 4:35). Use of an SSRI to treat hot flashes in women taking tamoxifen should probably be reconsidered.
Download: U.S. English
Two observational studies presented at a recent meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (45th annual meeting, May 29-June 2, 2009, Orlando, FL abstracts CRA508, CRA509) examined the effect of strong inhibitors of CYP2D6 on the success rate of tamoxifen in preventing recurrence of breast cancer. One found that women who took fluoxetine, paroxetine or sertraline (or bupropion, duloxetine, terbinafine, quinidine or long-term diphenhydramine) with tamoxifen had a higher 2-year recurrence rate (13.9% vs. 7.5%). The other study found no association between cancer recurrence and use of a CYP2D6 inhibitor.
There is no good evidence that any one SSRI is more effective than any other for treatment of depression. For women who are taking tamoxifen and need to begin treatment with an SSRI to treat depression, citalopram or escitalopram might be the safest choice (Treat Guidel Med Lett 2006; 4:35). Use of an SSRI to treat hot flashes in women taking tamoxifen should probably be reconsidered.
Download: U.S. English
Extended-Release Fluvoxamine (Luvox CR)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 30, 2008; (Issue 1289)
Fluvoxamine maleate, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that has been available for many years in an immediate-release formulation (Luvox, and others) for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder...
Fluvoxamine maleate, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that has been available for many years in an immediate-release formulation (Luvox, and others) for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adults, has now been approved by the FDA in an extended-release formulation (Luvox CR - Jazz Pharmaceuticals) for treatment of OCD and social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adults.
Desvenlafaxine for Depression
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 19, 2008; (Issue 1286)
The FDA has approved the marketing of desvenlafaxine (Pristiq - Wyeth), the main active metabolite of venlafaxine (Effexor, and others - Wyeth), for treatment of major depressive disorder. Venlafaxine, a...
The FDA has approved the marketing of desvenlafaxine (Pristiq - Wyeth), the main active metabolite of venlafaxine (Effexor, and others - Wyeth), for treatment of major depressive disorder. Venlafaxine, a norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), is available generically as an immediate-release tablet. Venlafaxine extended-release capsules (Effexor XR) are scheduled to go off-patent in 2010.