February 2012
Agomelatine
Because agomelatine shows only modest benefits in the treatment of depression and requires liver function monitoring, there seems little reason to select it over other agents.
SSRIs Reduce the Risk of MI
Long-term use of selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) seems to decrease the risk of myocardial infarction in patients with depression.
Antidepressant Risks in Older Patients
Elderly patients who take antidepressants have a greater risk of adverse events, such as falls, confusion, and agitation, than those who do not take antidepressants.
In Brief
Younger Age at Onset of Cannabis Use Associated with Early Symptoms of Psychosis; Medical Comorbidity High in Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Varenicline and Suicide Risk
The use of varenicline (Chantix) for smoking cessation appears to present a substantial and statistically significant increase in risk of depression and suicidal or self-injurious behavior.
ADHD Drugs: Safe for Young Hearts?
A retrospective cohort study found no increased risk for serious cardiovascular events associated with medication treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
A Message from Alan J. Gelenberg, M.D.
When I first started writing BTP in the 1970s, it was to bridge the gap between new knowledge in our field and its application to patient care. Over the decades since, the need for this bridge has become even greater. Neuroscience rockets forward. Psychiatrists and other clinicians have a broader array of treatments for patients with mental disorders than we even dreamed of back then. But we have less time to spend with patients and less time to keep up with developments that affect treatment decisions. Our medications, and those prescribed by colleagues in other specialties, are more varied, complex, and prone to interactions. What were formerly crisp boundaries between major psychopharmacologic categories are now murky.
This makes the modern practice of psychiatry challenging—but also fun and promising. With the expanding armamentarium of treatment options comes enhanced ability to alleviate suffering. The mission of BTP remains constant, even while the field grows. We are still here to bridge the gap, to make science applicable and relevant, and to help you in your day-to-day work relieve distress and improve function in patients' lives.