Use of Atypical Antipsychotics on an As-Needed Basis

1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy Demczar ◽  
Gary M Levin

Objective: To review the literature and determine whether atypical antipsychotics should be used on an as-needed (prn) basis. Data Sources: Pertinent English-language literature dealing with atypical antipsychotics, typical antipsychotics, phamacokinetics, and prn dosing strategies was retrieved from a MEDLINE search (1960–1995). Data Extraction: Articles that discussed either pharmacokinetic parameters or the rationale for using antipsychotics on a prn basis. Data Synthesis: Administration of typical antipsychotics on a prn basis, either alone or in combination with scheduled antipsychotics, is a common practice. However, it has recently been recognized that the atypical agents, clozapine and risperidone, are also being prescribed for prn dosing. Clozapine has a sedative component that may provide a therapeutic benefit when prescribed prn, but it is also associated with dose-related seizures and orthostatic hypotension. Risperidone does not appear to exhibit sedation, except at very high doses. Conclusions: The risk-to-benefit ratio is not acceptable in using the atypical antipsychotic agents on a prn basis. There are documented safety and efficacy data that support the use of the typical antipsychotic agents such as chlorpromazine, or haloperidol in combination with lorazepam, on a prn basis. These latter choices are also more cost-effective.

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis F. Thompson ◽  
Marsha A. Raebel ◽  
Hina S. Patel ◽  
Mark D. Peters ◽  
Curtis L. Smith

OBJECTIVE: To review the data describing the use of fluconazole in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). DATA IDENTIFICATION: A MEDLINE search of the English-language literature and a bibliographic review of pertinent articles examining the use of fluconazole in the treatment of VVC. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Relevant open and controlled studies reporting on the efficacy, associated adverse effects, or both of fluconazole for the treatment of VVC are reviewed. Appropriate conclusions and/or data are extracted from each article and described. DATA SYNTHESIS: Studies comparing fluconazole with ketoconazole and topical antifungal agents such as clotrimazole and miconazole have shown fluconazole to be equally efficacious with minimal adverse effects. Most of these trials used single-dose fluconazole, which would theoretically lead to a high degree of medication compliance. Fluconazole also has shown promise at diminishing VVC relapse or recurrence, possibly because of more complete vaginal and rectal eradication of Candida species. Pharmacoeconomically, single-dose fluconazole therapy is cost-effective; however, the recent approval of miconazole and clotrimazole by the Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use may limit this potential advantage. CONCLUSIONS: Until additional data are available, fluconazole may be considered a treatment alternative for women with VVC who experience frequent relapses or recurrences, or for those who are noncompliant with standard therapy.


2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36
Author(s):  
R. Ravasio

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disease. Approximately 1 percent of the population develops schizophrenia during their lifetime. Available treatments can relieve many symptoms, but most people with schizophrenia continue to suffer some symptoms throughout their lives; it has been estimated that no more than one in five individuals recovers completely. The introduction of second-generation antipsychotics, also defined as atypicals, has increased the therapeutic options available for individuals with schizophrenia. Potential benefits of these agents include a more favourable profile in terms of positive and negative symptoms, less adverse effects and better cognitive functioning than first-generation antipsychotics. It is uncertain whether atypical antipsychotic agents, as prescribed in ordinary practice, are a cost-effective alternative to conventional agents. This study examined the financial and clinical implications of using atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia, considering both related costs and consequences. To elaborate the paper, we reviewed 8 economical studies regarding the comparison between atypical and typical antipsychotics, published in the years 1998-2004. In 5 studies atypical antipsychotics were cost-saving compared to typical, in 2 studies they were cost-neutral and in one study they resulted cost-effective. Consequently typical antipsychotics were cost-saving just in one study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-52
Author(s):  
Yuni Andriani ◽  
Frisca Nindy Septiani ◽  
Defirson Defirson

Abstract. Schizophrenia is a chronic disease that requires relatively high treatment costs [1]. Several studies have found that atypical antipsychotics are more effective compared to typical antipsychotics. As a result, the duration of treatment and the patients’ length of hospital stay will be shorter which ultimately reduce the overall treatment costs.  Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of the two classes of antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia inpatients admitted to  Jambi Province Hospital period 2013-2016. Method: This descriptive retrospective cohort study was undertaken to analyze cost-effectiveness of the antipsychotic drugs provided to patients with schizophrenia (n=910) admitted to Jambi Province Hospital from the perspective of a healthcare provider. using purposive sampling technique. Characteristics of the patients, antipsychotic drugs usage, costs consumed, and treatment outcome were extracted from the hospital databases. Results: It was found that the total ACER value of the typical antipsychotic group was Rp. 142,789.25 and atypical antipsychotics is IDR 163,045.50 which indicates that the typical ACER antipsychotic value is  smaller than  those of atypical antipsychotics based on the length of stay of patients in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) room. Whereas based on the PANSS-EC score of the patient, the total ACER value of the typical antipsychotic group was IDR1,189,910.42 and in atypical antipsychotics was IDR. 572,089.47. Conclusion: Atypical antipsychotics are more cost-effective than typical antipsychotics.


1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 789-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry M. Lopez ◽  
Tamara M. Santiago

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetic disposition, dose recommendations, adverse effects, drug interactions, and efficacy of isradipine in patients with hypertension or ischemic heart disease. DATA SOURCES: Data from scientific literature were extracted, evaluated, and summarized for presentation. A MEDLINE search was conducted using the following indexing terms: isradipine, calcium-channel blockers, hypertension, and angina pectoris. Experiences from studies evaluating isradipine reported in the form of articles, abstracts, or proceedings involving patients or healthy subjects were considered for inclusion. STUDY SELECTION: Special consideration was given to clinical studies that had been designed in a blind, randomized fashion. Studies that compared the effectiveness and safety of isradipine with another antihypertensive or antianginal agent or placebo were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Data from human studies published in the English language were evaluated. Trials were evaluated according to sample size, design, and adequacy of description of therapeutic response. DATA SYNTHESIS: Isradipine is a new dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker that appears to exert less negative inotropic activity than nifedipine and to selectively inhibit sinoatrial conduction. Pharmacokinetic parameters are quite variable and considerably more work is needed to better describe the kinetic disposition of isradipine. Antihypertensive efficacy has been demonstrated extensively in a number of short-term trials. Antianginal efficacy also has been observed in a few short-term trials and is comparable to that of isosorbide dinitrate and nifedipine. Extensive experience with isradipine is minimal and no clear-cut advantages over existing compounds have been noted thus far. CONCLUSIONS: The place of isradipine in the therapy of hypertension and myocardial ischemia is unclear and its routine use cannot yet be recommended based solely on clinical grounds.


2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 743-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitte T Luong ◽  
Barbara S Chong ◽  
Dionne M Lowder

OBJECTIVE: To review new pharmacologic agents approved for use in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (1966–January 2000) was conducted to identify English-language literature available on the pharmacotherapy of RA, focusing on celecoxib, leflunomide, etanercept, and infliximab. These articles, relevant abstracts, and data provided by the manufacturers were used to collect pertinent data. STUDY SELECTION: All controlled and uncontrolled trials were reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION: Agents were reviewed with regard to mechanism of action, efficacy, drug interactions, pharmacokinetics, dosing, precautions/contraindications, adverse effects, and cost. DATA SYNTHESIS: Traditional pharmacologic treatments for RA have been limited by toxicity, loss of efficacy, or both. Increasing discoveries into the mechanisms of inflammation in RA have led to the development of new agents in hopes of addressing these limitations. With the development of celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, the potential exists to minimize the gastrotoxicity associated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Leflunomide has been shown to be equal to or less efficacious than methotrexate, and may be beneficial as a second-line disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). The biologic response modifiers, etanercept and infliximab, are alternatives that have shown benefit alone or in combination with methotrexate. However, they should be reserved for patients who fail to respond to DMARD therapy. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of these agents as well as their role in combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Celecoxib, leflunomide, etanercept, and infliximab are the newest agents approved for RA. Clinical trials have shown that these agents are beneficial in the treatment of RA; however, long-term safety and efficacy data are lacking.


2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irismar Reis de Oliveira ◽  
Paulo Menezes Nunes ◽  
Domingos Macedo Coutinho ◽  
Eduardo Pondé de Sena

OBJECTIVE: To review the efficacy of placebo in comparison with atypical and typical antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder and to evaluate the pertinence of using placebo in clinical trials with antipsychotics. METHOD: Trials in which the atypical antipsychotics were compared with typical antipsychotics and placebo were included. A search was conducted using the terms "amisulpride", "aripiprazole", "clozapine", "olanzapine", "quetiapine", "risperidone", "sertindole", "ziprasidone" and "zotepine". Main efficacy parameters were calculated using the proportion of "events" (defined as a deterioration or lack of improvement by at least 20% in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale or Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) and the pooled relative risk with random effects, with their respective 95% confidence intervals. We also calculated the necessary sample sizes in studies in which the study drug is compared to a typical antipsychotic or placebo. RESULTS: The pooled efficacy rates observed were 40.8%, 34.9% and 21.3% for the atypical antipsychotics, typical antipsychotics and placebo, respectively. One hundred and sixty six patients would have to be included when a new drug is compared with placebo if calculation is based on a difference of 20% found between the atypical antipsychotic and placebo and 2,054 if the difference sought were that found between the atypical antipsychotic and the typical antipsychotic, i.e. 6%. The estimated therapeutic failures would be 115 of the 166 patients when the study drug is compared with placebo, and 1,274 failures in the 2,054 patients when the study drug is compared to the typical antipsychotic. CONCLUSIONS: Placebo controlled studies may reduce the number of individuals exposed to the harmful effects of ineffective drugs.


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 898-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie S. Larsen ◽  
Edward P. Acosta

OBJECTIVE: To familiarize readers with a potentially new class of compounds for treating asthma. Background information on leukotrienes is provided in addition to an indepth review of pertinent clinical trials. DATA SOURCES: Information was obtained from controlled clinical trials, abstracts, and review articles identified through a MEDLINE search of English-language articles. STUDY SELECTION: Emphasis was placed on early clinical trials that showed some benefit with these compounds as well as more recent studies using newer agents that produced more promising results. DATA EXTRACTION: Information regarding leukotriene biochemistry was extracted from basic science research and data from human studies were evaluated by the authors according to patient selection, study design, methodology, and therapeutic response. DATA SYNTHESIS: Leukotrienes have a pathophysiologic role in asthma. Two distinct but pharmacologically similar classes of leukotriene inhibitors are currently being clinically evaluated. These are leukotriene receptor antagonists and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors. Early clinical trials with these agents yielded unfavorable results primarily because of lack of drug potency and selectivity, poor patient tolerance, and possibly the route of administration. Subsequent studies with more potent and selective agents have further implicated leukotrienes as biochemical mediators in asthma and, consequently, have shown promising clinical outcomes with respect to pulmonary function testing and patient tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: Advancements in the pathogenesis of asthma are beginning to define a role for the leukotrienes. Although more studies are needed to assess the efficacy of leukotriene inhibitors, recent clinical trials using leukotriene-receptor antagonists and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors indicate a potential for the expansion of therapeutic regimens currently used in the treatment of asthma.


1998 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 962-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia L Buck

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature and provide recommendations for the development and dissemination of written medication information to patients and their care providers. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (1966–1997) of the English-language literature was performed to identify articles pertaining to the development or use of written medication information. A search of the Internet was conducted by using Yahoo as the guide and “medication information” as the search term. Additional resources were obtained through texts, bibliographies, and catalogs from medical publishers. DATA EXTRACTION: Reports documenting the creation and use of written medication information systems were reviewed, as well as studies of readability and reading skills assessment. Examples of materials available for purchase by laypeople and healthcare providers were also examined. DATA SYNTHESIS: Current statistics support the widespread availability of written medication information for patients and care providers. The goal set forth by the Food and Drug Administration of having 75% of patients receive written information by the year 2000 appears achievable. However, there are still many issues to address. Content is not standardized, and materials are frequently written at reading levels higher than that of the average patient. The development and use of resources requiring only minimal reading skills and an increase in the availability of materials written in Spanish are needed. CONCLUSIONS: Written medication information provides a useful addition to counseling by healthcare professionals. A wide variety of prepared materials is available, as well as resources for those interested in developing tools for a specific patient, population, or setting. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the limitations of some resources. Content and readability must be appropriate for the intended audience for these tools to serve a useful role in patient education.


2002 ◽  
Vol 126 (11) ◽  
pp. 1382-1386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig S. Kitchens

Abstract Objectives.—To review the literature for conditions, diseases, and disorders that affect activity of the contact factors, and further to review the literature for evidence that less than normal activity of any of the contact factors may be associated with thrombophilia. Data Sources.—MEDLINE search for English-language articles published from 1988 to 2001 and pertinent references contained therein, as well as search of references in recent relevant articles and reviews. Study Selection.—Relevant clinical and laboratory information was extracted from selected articles. Meta-analysis was not feasible because of heterogeneity of reports. Data Extraction and Synthesis.—Evidence for association of altered levels of the contact factors and thrombophilia was sought. A wide variety of disorders is associated with decreased activity of the contact factors; chief among these disorders are liver disease, hepatic immaturity of newborns, the antiphospholipid syndrome, and, for factor XII, being of Asian descent. These disorders are more common than homozygous deficiency. The few series and case reports of thrombophilic events in patients homozygous for deficiency of contact factors are not persuasive enough to support causality. The apparent association between levels consistent with heterozygosity (40%–60% of normal) of any of the contact factors (but especially factor XII) in persons with antiphospholipid antibodies appears to be due to falsely decreased in vitro activity levels of these factors, which are normal on antigenic testing. The apparent association with thrombosis is better explained by the antiphospholipid syndrome than by the modest reduction of the levels of contact factors. Conclusions.—Presently, it is not recommended to measure activity of contact factors during routine evaluation of patients who have suffered venous or arterial thromboembolism or acute coronary syndromes.


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Pallone ◽  
Morton P. Goldman ◽  
Matthew A. Fuller

Objective To describe a case of isoniazid-associated psychosis and review the incidence of this adverse effect. Data Sources Information about the patient was obtained from the medical chart. A MEDLINE search of the English-language literature published from 1950 to 1992 was conducted and Index Medicus was manually searched for current information. Study Selection All case reports describing isoniazid-associated psychosis were reviewed. Data Extraction Studies were evaluated for the use of isoniazid, symptoms of psychosis, onset of symptoms, and dosage of isoniazid. Data Synthesis The case report is compared with others reported in the literature. The incidence of isoniazid-associated psychosis is rare. Conclusions The mechanism of isoniazid-associated psychosis is uncertain. It appears that isoniazid was associated with the psychosis evident in our patient and in the cases reviewed.


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