CNS drugs
Articles filed under CNS drugs.
Risk of midazolam overdose: NHS alert
This is a rapid response report from the National Patient Safety Agency (A branch of NHS) about the risk of midazolam (Dormicum, Hypnovel, Midacum and Versed) overdose Reducing risk of overdose with midazolam injection in adults Issue Some adult patients are being overdosed with midazolam injection when used for conscious sedation. The presentation of high strength
Serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome is a predictable clinical feature that involves excess serotonergic agonism of central nervous system (CNS) receptors and peripheral serotonergic receptors. The following PowerPoint was published on Stanford School of Medicine’s Scalpel: Serotoninn syndrome features Download: Serotonin syndrome PPT file MedExcel posted recently a mnemonic to remember the clinical components of serotonin syndrome Causes HARM:
Mnemonic to remember which benzodiazepines don’t have hepatic metabolism
Benzodiazepines: ones not metabolized by the liver (safe to use in liver failure) LOT: Lorazepam Oxazepam Temazepam Thanks to MedExcel Remember to check the animation on the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta, Yentreve): a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor for major depression. Australian prescriber review
From Australian Prescriber: Duloxetine Cymbalta (Eli Lilly) 30 mg and 60 mg capsules Approved indication: major depression Australian Medicines Handbook section 18.1.2 Duloxetine is a new antidepressant which selectively inhibits serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake. It also weakly inhibits dopamine uptake. (See details of its mechanism of action)
Quetiapine extended release tablets (Seroquel XR): efficacy, tolerability and adherence.
Information about quetiapine extended release tablets, from the National Prescribing Service RADAR “There is no evidence that extended-release tablets improve efficacy, tolerability or adherence Once-daily dosing with quetiapine extended-release tablets is equivalent to twice-daily dosing with quetiapine immediate-release tablets, e.g. quetiapine extended release 600 mg once daily is equivalent to quetiapine immediate release 300 mg
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs): FDA requires warnings about suicidal thoughts and behaviors (suicidality)
The FDA will require manufacturers of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to inclued a warning about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours when using these drugs. This is a transcript of the original press release dated Dec. 16, 2008: FDA Requires Warnings about Risk of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior for Antiepileptic Medications The U.S. Food
Zolpidem, zoplicone and zaleplon (z-drugs) side effects profile: Australian Prescriber press release
Hypnotic hazards and effects of z-drugs immeasurable “It is difficult to know the extent of use and adverse effects of zolpidem and other z-drugs (zopiclone and zaleplon) because they have never been listed on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, senior Sleep Disorders Physician Dr Les Olson writes in the latest edition of Australian Prescriber.
Phenytoin and fosphenytoin linked to Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
From the FDA website: FDA is investigating new preliminary data regarding a potential increased risk of serious skin reactions including Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) from phenytoin therapy in Asian patients positive for a particular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele, HLA-B*1502. This allele occurs almost exclusively in patients with ancestry across
Risk of death in patients with dementia that use typical antipsychotics: EMEA’s press release
Questions and answers on the review of the use of conventional antipsychotic medicines in elderly patients with dementia The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has completed a review of the evidence available on the safety of conventional antipsychotic medicines in elderly patients with dementia. The Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has concluded that there
SSRIs, SNRIs and SSNRIs: clinical guideline by the ACP
The American College of Physicians has issued a Clinical Practice Guideline about the use of Second-Generation Antidepressants in the treatment of Depressive Disorders. The recommendations that arise from it are the following: Recommendation 1: The American College of Physicians recommends that when clinicians choose pharmacologic therapy to treat patients with acute major depression, they select
Rufinamide approved as adjunctive for Lennox Gastaut syndrome
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug, Banzel (rufinamide), for use as an adjunctive (add-on) treatment for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. “This approval offers another treatment option for patients who suffer from these debilitating, severe seizures,” said Russell Katz, M.D., director of the Division of Neurology Products in the FDA’s