Evaluating the relationship of high-dose venlafaxine prescribing to treatment-resistant depression

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arwel Thomas ◽  
David Taylor

Aims and MethodPrescribing of venlafaxine in The South London and Maudsley NHS Trust was found to account for over 50% of the antidepressant costs, but only 15% of the prescriptions. There is evidence to suggest that higher doses of venlafaxine may be effective in treating treatment-refractory depression. We aimed to discover if higher doses of venlafaxine used in the trust were related to prior failure to respond to antidepressant treatment. Hospital in-patients being treated with venlafaxine during a 1-week period in October 2001 were identified and case notes were reviewed to determine patient demographic data and prior history of antidepressant therapy.ResultsThere were 38 patients identified as being prescribed venlafaxine (18 of whom had a primary diagnosis of depression). Twenty-five were classed as non-treatment-resistant and 13 were classed as treatment-resistant. Doses of venlafaxine were statistically significantly higher in patients considered treatment-resistant (245 mg v. 180 mg daily, P=0.03). All other recorded patient characteristics were similar.Clinical ImplicationsHigher doses of venlafaxine were prescribed to patients who were retrospectively defined as treatment-refractory. Further studies should address the reasons for this prescribing practice.

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (03) ◽  
pp. 93-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arwel Thomas ◽  
David Taylor

Aims and Method Prescribing of venlafaxine in The South London and Maudsley NHS Trust was found to account for over 50% of the antidepressant costs, but only 15% of the prescriptions. There is evidence to suggest that higher doses of venlafaxine may be effective in treating treatment-refractory depression. We aimed to discover if higher doses of venlafaxine used in the trust were related to prior failure to respond to antidepressant treatment. Hospital in-patients being treated with venlafaxine during a 1-week period in October 2001 were identified and case notes were reviewed to determine patient demographic data and prior history of antidepressant therapy. Results There were 38 patients identified as being prescribed venlafaxine (18 of whom had a primary diagnosis of depression). Twenty-five were classed as non-treatment-resistant and 13 were classed as treatment-resistant. Doses of venlafaxine were statistically significantly higher in patients considered treatment-resistant (245 mg v. 180 mg daily, P=0.03). All other recorded patient characteristics were similar. Clinical Implications Higher doses of venlafaxine were prescribed to patients who were retrospectively defined as treatment-refractory. Further studies should address the reasons for this prescribing practice.


Drug Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 705-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shun Kameyama ◽  
Yuko Kase ◽  
Saori Kurihara ◽  
Fumiko Yoshida ◽  
Masamitu Noda ◽  
...  

Abstract Backgrounds Folic acid dose at ≦5 mg/week has been recommended for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to decrease risk of methotrexate adverse effects. However, higher doses of folic acid is used in some cases. We examined the influence of high-dose folic acid on methotrexate efficacies and safety in Japanese RA patients. Methods 502 RA patients of four hospitals prescribed methotrexate and folic acid were included. These patients were divided into two subgroups according to the threshold of folic acid dose by 5 mg/week. Basic patient characteristics, methotrexate doses, and the efficacies or adverse effects of methotrexate were retrospectively compared between the two patient subgroups. Results The frequency of folic acid use at doses higher than 5 mg/week was significantly different between the four hospitals (P<0.001). The prevalence of methotrexate adverse effects was not significantly different between the patients taking folic acid less and more than 5 mg/week. However, in the lower dose methotrexate subgroup (≦8 mg/week), the prevalence of patients exhibiting abnormal serum ALT concentrations in the patients using higher (>5 mg/week) dose of folic acid was significantly higher than that in the lower (≦5 mg/week) folic acid-treated subgroup (P=0.029). Folic acid dose between patients taking methotrexate less and more than 8 mg/week was not significantly different. Major conclusion Folic acid dose was dependent on the hospitals, while efficacies and hepatotoxicity of methotrexate was not basically different between patients taking less and more than 5 mg/week of folic acid.


2012 ◽  
Vol 201 (6) ◽  
pp. 481-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver D. Howes ◽  
Francis Vergunst ◽  
Siobhan Gee ◽  
Philip McGuire ◽  
Shitij Kapur ◽  
...  

BackgroundClozapine is the only antipsychotic drug licensed for treatment-resistant schizophrenia but its use is often delayed. Since previous studies, national guidelines on the use of clozapine and other antipsychotics have been disseminated to clinicians.AimsTo determine the theoretical delay to clozapine initiation and to quantify the prior use of antipsychotic polypharmacy and high-dose antipsychotic treatment.MethodClinico-demographic data were extracted from the treatment records of all patients commencing clozapine in our centre between 2006 and 2010.ResultsComplete records were available for 149 patients. The mean theoretical delay in initiating clozapine was 47.7 months (s.d. = 49.7). Before commencing clozapine, antipsychotic polypharmacy and high-dose treatment was evident in 36.2 and 34.2% of patients respectively. Theoretical delay was related to illness duration (β = 0.7, P<0.001) but did not differ by gender or ethnicity.ConclusionsSubstantial delays to clozapine initiation remain and antipsychotic polypharmacy and high doses are commonly used prior to clozapine, despite treatment guidelines.


2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deanna Kelly ◽  
Robert Conley ◽  
Charles Richardson ◽  
Carol Tamminga ◽  
William Carpenter

2021 ◽  
pp. 106002802110072
Author(s):  
Casey A. Dubrawka ◽  
Kevin D. Betthauser ◽  
Hannah E. Pope ◽  
Gabrielle A. Gibson

Background No clear association between standard vasopressin doses and body mass index exists, despite potential pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability among patients with septic shock. It is unknown if higher doses may alter hemodynamic response. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vasopressin dose on hemodynamic response in obese patients with septic shock. Methods A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted in adult, obese patients with septic shock receiving catecholamine vasopressors and vasopressin. Patients were analyzed according to vasopressin dose received: standard dose (≤0.04 U/min) and high dose (>0.04 U/min). The primary outcome was percentage change in norepinephrine equivalent (NEQ) dose. Results A total of 182 patients were included in the analysis, with 136 in the standard-dose vasopressin group and 46 in the high-dose vasopressin group. There was no difference in percentage change in NEQ dose at 6 hours after standard- or high-dose vasopressin attainment (−28.6% vs −19.1%; P = 0.166). A greater increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 6 hours was observed with receipt of high-dose vasopressin (23.3% vs 15.3%; P = 0.023). Duration of shock and length of stay were significantly longer in patients who received high-dose vasopressin, with no difference in in-hospital mortality. Conclusion and Relevance This represents the first analysis comparing standard and higher doses of vasopressin in obese patients with septic shock. Receipt of high-dose vasopressin was not associated with a difference in catecholamine requirement or improved outcomes. Further studies are warranted to provide guidance on the use of high-dose vasopressin in septic shock.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 2409-2419
Author(s):  
Arslan Babar ◽  
Neil M. Woody ◽  
Ahmed I. Ghanem ◽  
Jillian Tsai ◽  
Neal E. Dunlap ◽  
...  

Adjuvant chemoradiation (CRT), with high-dose cisplatin remains standard treatment for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) with high-risk pathologic features. We evaluated outcomes associated with different cisplatin dosing and schedules, concurrent with radiation (RT), and the effect of cumulative dosing of cisplatin. An IRB-approved collaborative database of patients (pts) with primary OCSCC (Stage I–IVB AJCC 7th edition) treated with primary surgical resection between January 2005 and January 2015, with or without adjuvant therapy, was established from six academic institutions. Patients were categorized by cisplatin dose and schedule, and resultant groups compared for demographic data, pathologic features, and outcomes by statistical analysis to determine disease free survival (DFS) and freedom from metastatic disease (DM). From a total sample size of 1282 pts, 196 pts were identified with high-risk features who were treated with adjuvant CRT. Administration schedule of cisplatin was not significantly associated with DFS. On multivariate (MVA), DFS was significantly better in patients without perineural invasion (PNI) and in those receiving ≥200 mg/m2 cisplatin dose (p < 0.001 and 0.007). Median DFS, by cisplatin dose, was 10.5 (<200 mg/m2) vs. 20.8 months (≥200 mg/m2). Our analysis demonstrated cumulative cisplatin dose ≥200 mg/m2 was associated with improved DFS in high-risk resected OCSCC pts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e242495
Author(s):  
Nagara Takao ◽  
Toshiya Murai ◽  
Hironobu Fujiwara

Dopamine supersensitivity psychosis (DSP) frequently arises with long-term antipsychotic treatment and accounts for a significant proportion of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The mechanism underlying DSP is thought to be a compensatory increase in dopamine receptor density in the striatum caused by long-term antipsychotic treatment. Previous animal studies have reported that antipsychotics increase serotonin 5-HT2A receptor density in the striatum and that 5-HT2A receptor blockers suppress dopamine-sensitive psychomotor activity, which may be linked to the pathophysiology of DSP. In this paper, we describe a patient who was hospitalised with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Following treatment with high-dose antipsychotic polypharmacy for 10 weeks, the patient experienced worsening of psychotic and extrapyramidal symptoms. The patient was then started on second-generation antipsychotic asenapine while other antipsychotics were tapered off, resulting in improvement of these symptoms. Retrospectively, we presumed that the high-dose antipsychotic polypharmacy caused DSP, which was effectively treated by the potent 5-HT2A receptor antagonism of asenapine.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-171
Author(s):  
Steve Best ◽  
Dan G. Pavel ◽  
Natalie Haustrup

AbstractBackgroundRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a safe, effective and non-invasive treatment for many psychiatric illnesses, including treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, is also an effective antidepressant. This retrospective review examined the clinical benefits of combining these two established treatments for patients suffering from TRD in a novel approach coined combination TMS with ketamine (CTK).MethodsA group of 28 adult patients with a primary diagnosis of unipolar (n=18) or bipolar (n=10) depression received three CTK treatments a week at a private neuropsychiatric practice. Patients were given a concurrent treatment of rTMS (1Hz; 40 minutes; 130% of motor threshold) with bio-marker-determined IV ketamine infusions (0.2–4.7 mg/kg; 30 minutes). The TMS coil was positioned on the mid-prefrontal area. Frequency of treatment was dependent on patient responsiveness (10–30 sessions), which was measured as symptom reduction on the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale. CGI data was evaluated pre-treatment, post-treatment and at two-year follow-up.ResultsMean reduction in CGI severity for the patient group following CTK was 4.46 ± 0.54 at a 99% confidence interval and was deemed statistically significant using a paired t-test (a=0.01, t=22.81, p < 0.0001). This significant reduction in CGI severity was sustained for at least 2 years following treatment completion.ConclusionsDespite years of unsuccessful treatments, all 28 patients in this trial obtained substantial and enduring reductions in their depressive symptoms following CTK therapy. Further research into method optimization and randomized controlled trials are warranted.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document