Mental Health
This Week in Mental Health Research
Newer Not Necessarily Better. An October 2006 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry has published a report that suggests second-generation (”newer”) antipsychotic medications offered little advantage over older drugs for schizophrenic patients, which runs counter to a wide belief that newer antipsychotic agents are safer and more effective. Based on this study’s findings, justification for using more expensive newer agents could be problematic if the newer agents indeed offer similar side effect profile or effectiveness than cheaper generics. The study was based on a study of 227 individuals age 18-65 with schizophrenia, randomly assigned to receive first-generation medications or second-generation medications. Authors concluded that further study looking at newer drugs are needed to determine their usefulness in managing schizophrenia and that older drugs remain useful in managing schizophrenia. (Source: Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006;63:1079-1087.)
Speaking of newer antipsychotic agents, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent an “Approvable Letter” to Johnson & Johnson for extended release paliperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia. Paliperidone is a chemical derivative of risperidone, which is already used in the treatment of schizophrenia. The extended release form uses a delivery technology that allows the medication to be consistently delivered in the bloodstream over 24 hours. The brand name of the medication is yet to be determined. (Source: Janssen website)
Women who suffer from both emotional and physical symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) has an option with a birth control pill that has received approval from the FDA to also treat the the emotional and physical symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in women who takes an oral contraceptive. The pill’s snappy brand name, “YAZ” makes me wonder if its aimed at the youth market. Women who suffer from PMDD experience mood swings, irritability, headaches, feeling anxious, bloating and food cravings, with more severity in symptoms than women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). (Source: YAZ website)
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All information in Jane's Mental Health Source Page website is for your information and education. The information does not replace or substitute for professional medical treatment or for professional medical advice relative to a specific medical question or condition.
Very informative site. It’s nice to see.
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment on my 100th post.
Hope to see you at the support group.
[...] You may have first read about this drug in clinical trials here on the Mental Health Source Page. According to the FDA, it approved Invega based on 3 placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted for 6 weeks in North America, Europe and Asia and involving 1665 adult patients / human subjects. Based on clinical trial results, recommended dose range of Invega is 3mg to 12 mg a day. [...]