Second-Messenger Modifiers (“Mood Stabilizers”)

2018 ◽  
pp. 127-145
Author(s):  
S. Nassir Ghaemi

The drug class of second-messenger modifiers includes agents called “mood stabilizers.” It consists of lithium and some anticonvulsants: valproate, carbamazepine, and lamotrigine. The standard mood stabilizers each have strengths and weaknesses. Lithium is still the gold standard, most proven agent; no other drug has been clearly shown to be more effective than lithium. The clinical pharmacology of specific agents within each class, including their efficacy and side effects, is explored. Specific phenomena that are surveyed include chronic renal insufficiency, liver side effects, polycystic ovarian syndrome, teratogenicity, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and drug interactions. Benefits for lithium include suicide prevention and possibly dementia prevention.

Author(s):  
Rutuja S Nalkar ◽  
Suhas S Siddheshwar ◽  
Mahesh H Kolhe

Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant drug used in the treatment of epilepsy & bipolar disorder/major affective disorder (manic depression). Lamotrigine is and antiepileptic drug of phenyltriazine class. For epilepsy it is used to treat the partial seizures, primary and secondary tonic-clonic seizures, and seizures associated with the Lennox-Gastuat syndrome and are chemically unrelated to the other anticonvulsants. Lamotrigine is a phenyltriazine that has comparatively few side-effects and it does not requires blood monitoring/observance in monotherapy. It additionally acts as a mood stabilizer. Common side-effects of lamotrigine include, nausea, sleepiness, headache, vomiting, trouble/bother with co-ordination and rash. Serious side-effects include in, lack of red blood cells, accumulated in risk of suicide, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and allergy. It issues that use of lamotrigine throughout pregnancy or breastfeeding it’s going to lead/result in harm/damage.


Author(s):  
MOHAMMED AL-ABADIE ◽  
FARIS OUMEISH ◽  
MOHAMMED AL-RUBAYE ◽  
DINA AL-ABADIE ◽  
PATRICK ANTHONY BALL ◽  
...  

Objective: It is commonly reported that medicines have side effects related to dermatological practice. However, it is extremely difficult to establish how commonly, or rarely skin-related medication side effects occur. Common dermatological side effects include rash, pruritus, and photosensitivity. Objective: To demonstrate the dermatological side-effects of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United Kingdom. Methods: This paper discusses dermatological side-effects of the commonly prescribed medications, including uncommon or rare manifestations such as angioedema and Stevens - Johnson syndrome (SJS). The list used for the most frequently prescribed drugs in the United Kingdom was created by nurses. This list was compared to the British National Formulary to demonstrate the reported frequency of occurrence of dermatological side-effects or complications. Conclusion: The top 100 prescribed medication cause a number of dermatological side effects that need to be considered when they are prescribed to patients who have pre-existing skin conditions. Additionally, when confronted with a common dermatological problem in any patient, clinicians should always consider the possibility of a drug adverse reaction.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 272-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Laje

Pharmacogenetics brought the promise of matching individuals with treatments that would be efficacious while minimizing adverse events. This has been long needed in psychiatry, where treatment options have been empirical and treatment choices have been made largely based on clinical judgment. The efficacy and tolerability of antidepressants, the most common drugs used in mood disorders, have been widely studied in pharmacogenetics. Genetic association studies have been reported for pharmacokinetic genes such as the CYP450 isoenzymes or MDR1, and pharmacodynamic genes such as the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) or the serotonin 2A receptor (HTR2A). However, despite the large number of reports, clinically useful predictors are still scarce for antidepressant monotherapy. Pharmacogenetic predictors of efficacy for mood stabilizers such as lithium and anticonvulsants have not had a dissimilar fate, and clinically meaningful markers are yet to emerge. The lack of consistent results may be in part due to small samples of heterogeneous populations and lack of consensus on phenotype definitions. Current pharmacogenetic recommendations include testing for HLA-B*1502 when using carbamazepine in Asian ancestry populations to prevent Stevens–Johnson syndrome, CYP2D6 genotypes when using pimozide, and CYP2D6 in polypharmacy to minimize drug interactions. This review, which is aimed at clinicians, lays the basis for understanding strengths and weaknesses of pharmacogenetic studies and outlines current clinical uses of these biomarkers.


Author(s):  
Justin C. Ellison ◽  
Jason B. Rosenstock ◽  
Michael J. Marcsisin

A variety of somatic therapies can be used to treat individuals suffering from psychosis. Most commonly, providers will prescribe antipsychotics, which generally block dopamine receptors and are particularly useful at reducing positive symptoms. Second-generation antipsychotics have fewer movement side effects than older agents do, but they are more expensive and have more metabolic side effects. Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics can be useful for improving outcomes, especially in non-adherent patients, and clozapine is the gold standard for treatment-refractory psychosis. Other agents may be useful for adjunct therapy, or in early psychosis, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines. In this chapter, we will also review other somatic therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and other neuromodulation approaches.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotfollah Davoodi ◽  
Hamed Jafarpour ◽  
Armaghan Kazeminejad ◽  
Eissa Soleymani ◽  
Zahra Akbari ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The international outbreak of respiratory illness termed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began in December 2019 that has affected more than 0.8 million individuals. To date, there are no specific therapeutic agents for coronavirus infections. One of the drugs that have an effective role in improving the condition of patients with COVID-19 is hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). This drug is not a definitive treatment for this disease and has a supportive role. Like all medications, HCQ has side effects and may occur in COVID-19 patients. Stevens-Johnson syndrome caused by HCQ is very rare.Case presentation: A 42-year-old woman, presented with fever and dry cough in the past two days to her family physician. Lab tests revealed elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, 648 units/liter (U/L)), C-reactive protein level (CRP, 52 milligrams/Liter (mg/L), normal: <10 mg/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 59 U/L, normal: 10-40 U/L), thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. Mild bilateral patchy ground-glass opacity was seen in lung CT-Scan. Due to COVID-19 pandemic and clinical findings, the nasopharyngeal swab test was done and SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was detected by RT-PCR. HCQ 200 mg twice daily was started. After two days, the patient presented with a pruritic erythematous maculopapular rash and flat atypical targets that started from the distal of upper extremities and rapidly, involved the entire body, and torn blisters which were only be seen as ulcers on orolabial area. The Nikolsky sign was positive. Due to the likelihood of a drug reaction, HCQ was discontinued, and COVID-19 treatment was changed to lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/RTV) 400 mg twice daily. Finally, she was discharged after five days with nonpruritic scalded skin on the distal of upper extremities. Conclusions: It is worth noting that although HCQ appears to be safe and has mild side effects, however, the boundary between therapeutic and toxic doses is narrow and severe disorders of their use can life-threatening. One of the side effects of HCQ is SJS caused by the drug, and given the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 and the increasing need for this drug, we need to be careful about its use in order to control and manage the side effects of this drug.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 1520-1522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Hwang ◽  
Andrew Iskandar ◽  
Constantin A Dasanu

Pembrolizumab is a humanized antibody that targets programmed cell death receptor-1. This agent is approved for use in the treatment of several malignancies. While pruritus and papulo-erythematous rash are not uncommon with its use, severe reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis are very rare. We present herein a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome occurring in a patient who had previously tolerated pembrolizumab without significant side effects for seven months. Prompt recognition of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis and discontinuation of the offending agent are paramount to ensure a favorable outcome.


2013 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 672-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurimar Conceicao Fernandes ◽  
Mariana Menezes

In this study, five cases of pemphigus vulgaris and two cases of pemphigus foliaceus were treated with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy associated with prednisone, resulting in the need for a smaller maintenance dose of prednisone. In three cases of pemphigus vulgaris and one case of pemphigus foliaceus, dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy associated with prednisone helped the lesions to heal more rapidly. Neither treatment however prevented the recurrence of the disease. Amenorrhea, myelotoxicity and Stevens-Johnson syndrome were among the cyclophosphamide side effects. All the patients treated with prednisone experienced known side effects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 2052-2055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constantin A Dasanu

Nivolumab is a fully human immunoglobulin G4 immune checkpoint inhibitor antibody approved for use in the treatment of several malignancies. Severe side effects such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) have only extremely rarely been reported with this drug. We present herein a patient who developed SJS after 16 weeks of therapy with nivolumab. A week prior to this event, he developed a pruriginous papulo-erythematous rash. Prompt recognition of this phenomenon, immune checkpoint inhibitor discontinuation and steroid therapy are necessary steps in order to avoid dismal outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 640-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Parker

Objectives: To detail some serious lamotrigine side effects and their management, and raise awareness about the possible lack of quality control of some brands of lamotrigine. Methods: A literature review is provided and some personal observations added. Results: While most psychiatrists are aware of the risks of Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS), awareness of two other serious side effects – toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN) and drug-related eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) – is seemingly lower. Awareness that failure to respond to lamotrigine and that the prevalence of serious side effects may reflect poor quality control of some preparations is also less well recognized. Conclusions: While lamotrigine may be retrialled at a lower dose escalation rate following some skin reactions, it should not be recommenced following a SJS, TEN or DRESS reaction. Prescribers should be aware of quality control concerns about some available brands of lamotrigine.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
I.M. Ikeh ◽  
◽  
O.O. Odikamnoro ◽  
V.O. Okonkwo ◽  
I.O. Nnatuanya ◽  
...  

Adverse effects of antimalarial drugs, which were commonly attributed to chloroquine such as: headache, various skin eruptions, Pruritus, Gastro-intestinal disturbances such as nausea, and vomiting. Others, such as: mental changes involving psychotic episodes, anxiety, visual disturbances such as blurred vision, keratopathy or retinopathy. Some common side effects like loss of hair, ototoxicity, photosensitivity, tinnitus, neuro-myopathy, myopathy, erythema multiformes and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hemolysis and blood dyscrasias, Neutropenia etc., are still reported in some patients treated with the Pyrimethamine and Sulphadoxine drug combination. The emergence of combination therapeutic approach to malaria treatment was believed to have reduced the frequency of these events, but most, still persist. This survey was conducted to therefore, assess the overall presentation of Diarrhoea, Pruritus and Vomit in Patients treated with Maloxine and Fansidar. At Day zero, (D0), 40(15.0%) Presented positive Diarrhoea cases; 05(1.9%) present positive cases of pruritus and 73(27.4%) presented positive cases of vomit. At Day 2, (D2), 03(1.1%) presented positive Diarrhoea cases as against 263(98.9%) of negative cases; 01(0.4%) presented positive cases of pruritus as against 265(99.6%) of negative cases. Day Seven, (D7) and Day Fourteen, (D14) recorded clearance of the adverse effects. There is therefore need for relevant drug treatment follow up to clear the adverse effects engendered by malaria drug therapy.


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