‘No reliable evidence’ for most antidepressants in relief of long-term pain, review finds
By
Alicia Lasek
May 18, 2023
With the exception of duloxetine, there is not enough reliable evidence to support the use of most antidepressant medications in the relief of chronic pain, a new review and meta-analysis has shown.
Antipsychotic add-on helps seniors with treatment-resistant depression
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 08, 2023
Older adults with severe depression have better outcomes when the antipsychotic aripiprazole (Abilify) is added to their existing antidepressant prescription versus a switch to bupropion, a new study has...
Study questions efficacy of antidepressants commonly used to treat pain
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 06, 2023
There was little to no evidence that tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline were effective in this meta-analysis. Yet drugs in this class are among those most commonly used to treat pain, the...
New findings call basis for antidepressant use into question
Jul 21, 2022
There is no evidence that serotonin is responsible for depression, raising questions about a basis for the widespread use of antidepressant drugs, say the authors of a major review of published research.
Alternatives to antipsychotics can create new dangers, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Jun 01, 2022
Fewer residents with dementia now receive off-label antipsychotic drugs in VA nursing facilities. But overreliance on other behavior-modifying medications has spiked, a new study finds.
Seniors with late-onset depression have poor treatment response
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 15, 2022
About one fifth of the patients aged 65 and older with first-time depression did not respond to antidepressant treatment during a one-year study period.
Anxiety meds, antidepressants tied to post-surgery delirium in seniors: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 13, 2021
Older patients should be temporarily weaned off these drugs whenever possible — well before their scheduled surgery, the researchers say.
Cheap antidepressant cuts early COVID risks, may rival antibody therapy, researchers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 29, 2021
Outpatient treatment with the commonly available drug fluvoxamine (Luvox) compares favorably with more expensive treatments such as monoclonal antibodies, investigators say.
Brief training for LTC nurses leads to 6 months of reduced psychotropics use
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 26, 2021
Wards with trained nurses showed a significant reduction in psychotropic drug use and drug costs. Maintenance strategies may be needed, however, as the improvements had waned by 12 months, researchers...
Antidepressant use may aid outcomes in depression and diabetes
Jul 23, 2021
Regular versus poor antidepressant use tied to lower risk for advanced diabetic complications, mortality in patients with depression and diabetes