A Controlled Comparison of Flupenthixol Decanoate Injections and Oral Amitriptyline in Depressed Out-Patients

1982 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Tam ◽  
J. P. R. Young ◽  
G. John ◽  
M. H. Lader

SummarySixty-eight depressed out-patients were allocated to treatment with either oral amitriptyline (75–225 mg/day) or intramuscular flupenthixol decanoate (10–30 mg every 14 days) in flexible dosage for 12 weeks under double-blind procedures. Various observer- and self-rating scales were applied before and after 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. Twenty-four patients completed the course of amitriptyline and 20 the course of flupenthixol. All variables improved over time, but there were no significant differences between the two drugs. The Newcastle scores pre-treatment were not related to drug response suggesting that both drugs were similarly effective across a wide spectrum of depressive disorders. Patients on amitriptyline tended to complain of dry mouth; those on flupenthixol had a higher incidence of extrapyramidal signs, the majority receiving anti-parkinsonian drugs at some time during the treatment. Flupenthixol decanoate in low dose is a useful anti-depressant, but should be restricted to short courses of treatment, to patients refractory to other treatments, and to patients suspected of poor compliance.

Author(s):  
Mallikarjuna Rao I. ◽  
Usha Kiran Prayaga ◽  
Dharma Rao Uppada ◽  
Ramachandra Rao E. ◽  
B. L. Kudagi

Background: The SSRIs being used as 1st line therapy in treatment of depression have delayed therapeutic effect which makes the patient vulnerable to an increased risk of suicide and decreased adherence to the treatment and will prematurely discontinue the therapy. The present study was conducted to evaluate if low dose mirtazapine-escitalopram combination therapy has any add on benefit over monotherapy with escitalopram.Methods: In a single-centered, comparative study involving patients with depression attending the out-patient after screening and exclusion, 60 eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive tablet mirtazapine 7.5 mg plus tablet escitalopram 10 mg intervention or tablet escitalopram 10 mg plus placebo intervention in a double-blind 6-week treatment phase. The primary outcome measure was the change in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score from baseline. Participants were evaluated at baseline, 1st, 2nd,4th and 6th week. Results were analyzed using Chi-Square test for adverse effects and independent t-test analysis for efficacy parameter.Results: In the analysis of results at 6th week the numbers of patients achieved remission in mirtazapine group are more with a p-value of 0.018 which is significant and the numbers of responders in mirtazapine group are also more which is statistically significant on chi-square test. There is no significant difference was observed between the two groups with reference to occurrence of adverse effect.Conclusions: Adding low dose mirtazapine has an added benefit in terms of efficacy and getting remission early with more number of responders in the treatment of major depression.


1999 ◽  
Vol 174 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Poyurovsky ◽  
Marina Shardorodsky ◽  
Camil Fuchs ◽  
Michael Schneidman ◽  
Abraham Weizman

BackgroundSerotonin (5-HT): dopamine imbalance may underlie neuroleptic-induced akathisia.AimTo evaluate the efficacy of the 5-HT2 antagonist, mianserin in neuroleptic-induced akathisia.MethodsThirty neuroleptic-treated patients with schizophrenia were randomly allocated in a double-blind design to receive either mianserin (15 mg/day) or placebo for five days. Patients were assessed at baseline and on Days 3 and 5 by the Barnes Akathisia Scale (BARS), as well as by other relevant clinical rating scales.ResultsCompared with the placebo group, the mianserin-treated patients showed a significant reduction in all four BARS subscales by Day 5, with mean reductions in the BARS global score of 9.9% and 52.2%, respectively (P=0.006). Response to treatment (a reduction of at least two points on the BARS global subscale), was noted in six patients (40%) in the mianserin group and only one patient (9.1%) in the placebo group (P=0.04, log odds ratio 2.23).ConclusionsMianserin at a low dose may be a promising therapeutic option for patients with acute neuroleptic-induced akathisia.


2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (23) ◽  
pp. 4795-4803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond K. Mulhern ◽  
Raja B. Khan ◽  
Stuart Kaplan ◽  
Susan Helton ◽  
Robbin Christensen ◽  
...  

Purpose Children surviving acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and malignant brain tumors (BTs) have a higher incidence of attention and learning problems in school than do their healthy peers. The present study tests the hypothesis that the psychostimulant methylphenidate (MPH) improves cognitive and social functioning among these patients. Patients and Methods We report on 83 long-term survivors of ALL and BT identified as having attentional deficits on behavioral testing and parent or teacher report, and problems with academic achievement. The 47 male and 36 female patients ranged from 0.6 to 14.3 years (median, 5.4 years) of age at diagnosis and 6.7 to 17.9 years (median, 11.9 years) of age at participation. The patients (40 ALL, 43 BT) participated in a randomized, double-blind, 3-week home cross-over trial of placebo (bid), low-dose MPH (0.3 mg/kg; maximum dose, 10 mg bid), and moderate-dose MPH (0.6 mg/kg; maximum dose, 20 mg bid). The primary end points were weekly teacher and parent reports on the Conners’ Rating Scales and Social Skills Rating System. Results Compared to placebo, significant improvement with MPH was reported by teachers and parents on the Conners’ Rating Scales and by teachers on the Social Skills Rating System. However, no consistent advantage of moderate dose over low dose was observed. Of those participating, 66 (79.5%) of the 83 patients continued on best clinical management. Conclusion Treatment with MPH can at least temporarily reduce some attentional and social deficits among survivors of childhood ALL and BT. Long-term follow-up will reveal those subsets of patients who are more likely to benefit from MPH.


1987 ◽  
Vol 151 (5) ◽  
pp. 634-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. W. Johnson ◽  
J. M. Ludlow ◽  
K. Street ◽  
R. D. W. Taylor

A double-blind controlled trial of 50% dose reduction in maintenance treatment in stable out-patients with low BPRS scores and good social function shows a significantly higher relapse rate in the low-dose group at 12 months (P < 0.05). After an interval of 24–36 months from dose reduction, 56–76% had experienced a relapse and 76–79% had resumed their former dosage. No clear advantage was shown for the lower dose in either a reduction of side-effects or improved social function, but a reduced prevalence or lower rate of symptom emergence for tardive dyskinesia was suggested.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 687-687
Author(s):  
O. Christ ◽  
K. Schwarz ◽  
S. Ohlmes ◽  
H. Berger

IntroductionComputer based trainings (CBTs) are established in the rehabilitation of mentally ill people to recover cognitive skills (Medalia et al., 2009). The Critique to some CBTs are lack of preparation for real life scenario, no use of tasks that simultaneously engage multiple cognitive processes and lack of enhancing motivation (Medalia & Choi, 2009). This may be summarized as a lack of biotic design in CBTs.ObjectiveIn depressive disorders besides other symptoms a lack of energy/motivation, forgetfulness and difficulty in concentrating are observable. The goal of this pilot study was to develop a new “biotic” designed CBT (Mebitrain) and evaluate its effect on global working memory (GWM) and motivation with data from patients suffering from depression.MethodsTo test whether Mebitrain enhances GWM (measured before and after a ten day training period with the LGT from Bäumler) and motivation (measured before and after training with custom rating scales and during the training with time and performance) five depressive (ICD diagnoses F31.0, F33.2, F32.3) patients were tested.ResultsDifferences between pre- (mean 33.6 ± 10.35) and post- (mean 38 ± 6) LGT values show a marginal significant trend (p = 0.1) with moderate effect size (d = .54).The time finishing the training decreased per training session significantly with an increasing in performance (r = −.788, p < .005).ConclusionFirst results indicate that the development of a biotic designed training and its application may increase global cognitive functions and motivation in depressive patients. Limitations (e.g. sample size, transfer, etc.) of this pilot study are discussed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 0140-0151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thilaga Rati Selvaraju ◽  
Huzwah Khaza’ai ◽  
Sharmili Vidyadaran ◽  
Mohd Sokhini Abd Mutalib ◽  
Vasudevan Ramachandran ◽  
...  

Glutamate is the major mediator of excitatory signals in the mammalian central nervous system. Extreme amounts of glutamate in the extracellular spaces can lead to numerous neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to clarify the potential of the following vitamin E isomers, tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) and α-tocopherol (α-TCP), as potent neuroprotective agents against glutamate-induced injury in neuronal SK-N-SH cells. Cells were treated before and after glutamate injury (pre- and post-treatment, respectively) with 100 - 300 ng/ml TRF/α-TCP. Exposure to 120 mM glutamate significantly reduced cell viability to 76 % and 79 % in the pre- and post-treatment studies, respectively; however, pre- and post-treatment with TRF/α-TCP attenuated the cytotoxic effect of glutamate. Compared to the positive control (glutamate-injured cells not treated with TRF/α-TCP), pre-treatment with 100, 200, and 300 ng/ml TRF significantly improved cell viability following glutamate injury to 95.2 %, 95.0 %, and 95.6 %, respectively (p < 0.05).The isomers not only conferred neuroprotection by enhancing mitochondrial activity and depleting free radical production, but also increased cell viability and recovery upon glutamate insult. Our results suggest that vitamin E has potent antioxidant potential for protecting against glutamate injury and recovering glutamate-injured neuronal cells. Our findings also indicate that both TRF and α-TCP could play key roles as anti-apoptotic agents with neuroprotective properties.


2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gadi Maoz ◽  
Daniel Stein ◽  
Sorin Meged ◽  
Larisa Kurzman ◽  
Joseph Levine ◽  
...  

Psychopharmacological interventions for managing aggression in schizophrenia have thus far yielded inconsistent results. This study evaluates the antiaggressive efficacy of combined haloperidol-propranolol treatment. Thirty-four newly admitted schizophrenic patients were studied in a controlled double-blind trial. Following a 3-day drug-free period and 7 days of haloperidol treatment, patients were randomly assigned to receive either haloperidol-propranolol or haloperidol-placebo for eight consecutive weeks. Doses of medications were adjusted as necessary; biperiden was administered if required. Rating scales were applied to assess aggression, anger, psychosis, depression, anxiety and extrapyramidal symptoms. The mean daily dose of haloperidol was 21 mg (SD = 6.4) in the research group and 29 mg (SD = 6.9) in the controls. Mean and maximal daily doses of propranolol were 159 mg (SD = 61) and 192 mg (SD = 83), and of placebo, 145 mg (SD = 50) and 180 mg (SD = 70), respectively. Compared with the controls, the scores for the research patients decreased significantly from baseline, particularly after 4 weeks of treatment, for some dimensions of anger, psychosis, anxiety, and neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism. A tendency for reduced aggression was shown in the combined haloperidol-propranolol group for some dimensions but not others. These patients also required significantly less biperiden. The tendency toward elevated antiaggressive effect of combined haloperidol-propranolol treatment compared to haloperidol alone may be explained by a simultaneous decrease in aggression, psychotic symptomatology, and anxiety.


1991 ◽  
Vol 65 (05) ◽  
pp. 504-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele De Caterina ◽  
Rosa Sicari ◽  
Walter Bernini ◽  
Guido Lazzerini ◽  
Giuliana Buti Strata ◽  
...  

SummaryTiclopidine (T) and aspirin (ASA) are two antiplatelet drugs both capable of prolonging bleeding time (BT), with a different mechanism of action. A synergism in BT prolongation has been reported and is currently considered an argument for not recommending their combination. However, a profound suppression of platelet function might be a desirable counterpart of a marked prolongation of BT, with a possible use in selected clinical situations. We therefore studied ex vivo platelet function (aggregation by ADP 0.5-1-2.5 μM; adrenaline 0.75-2.5 μM; collagen 1.5-150 μg/ml; arachidonic acid 1 mM; PAF 1 μM; adrenaline 0.17 μM + ADP 0.62 μM; serum thromboxane ([TX]B2 generation) and BT (Mielke) in 6 patients with stable coronary artery disease receiving such combination. Patients underwent sequential laboratory evaluations at baseline, after 7 days of T 250 mg b.i.d., before and after the intravenous administration of ASA 500 mg, respectively, and, finally, after a minimum of 7 days of sole ASA oral administration (50 mg/day). The experimental design, therefore, allowed a comparison of T and ASA effects (2nd and 4th evaluation), and an assessment of the combination effect (3rd evaluation). Platelet aggregation in response to all doses of ADP was depressed more by T than by ASA. Conversely, responses to adrenaline, and arachidonate were affected more by ASA than by T. For all other agents, differences were not significant. T + ASA combination was more effective (p <0.05) than either treatment alone in depressing responses to high-dose collagen (% over control, mean ± SEM: T: 95 ± 3; ASA: 96 ± 5; T + ASA: 89 ± 4). Serum TXB2 (basal, ng/ml: 380 ± 54) did not change with T (372 ± 36), dropped to <1 ng/ml on ASA injection and slightly re-increased to 9.1 ± 3.1 ng/ml on oral low-dose ASA. BT (basal 7.4 ± 0.6 min) was affected similarly by T (9.2 ± 0.8) or ASA (9.7 ± 0.9) alone, but increased to 15.0 ± 0.7 min on combination treatment (106% increase over control). Thus, the strong synergism in BT prolongation by ASA-T combination has a counterpart in the inhibition of platelet function in response to strong stimuli such as high-dose collagen, not otherwise affected significantly by single-drug treatment. This effect is a possible rationale for the clinical evaluation of T + ASA combination.


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