Can Tricyclic Antidepressants Help Your Bipolar...
This article covers how tricyclic antidepressants work, allergies, pregnancy and breast-feeding, side effects common to the medication family, and interactions with drugs and alcohol. (Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder)
Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder - July 6, 2014 Category: Psychiatry Authors: bipolar.guide at about.com Tags: health Source Type: news
Antidepressants differ in effect on weight gain
Less weight gain with bupropion, nortriptyline and amitriptyline than citalopramRelated items from OnMedicaOlder generation antidepressants linked to heart diseaseMental and physical healthcare should be integratedCommunity mental health service users left out of decisionsDepressed patients stick with phone CBTLithium cuts suicide risk in people with mood disorders (Source: OnMedica Latest News)
Source: OnMedica Latest News - June 6, 2014 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
Episode #4: Poisoning and the diagnosis of brain death
Conclusion: unclear how long to wait before pronouncing brain death as many factors such as pharmacogenetics can alter normal metabolism
Summary
Drug overdose can mimic brain death
Be especially cautious in overdose involving the scary B’s: baclofen, barbiturate, benzodiazepine
The 3-5 half life rule for drug clearance cannot be applied in the cases of overdose
Half lives are measured at therapeutic levels
Multiple other factors can alter metabolism in overdoses, such as pharmacogenetics, and cross reactivity with other ingestants
Consult a toxicologist if there is any question regarding possible overdose in the ...
Source: The Poison Review - May 20, 2014 Category: Toxicology Authors: LeonThe Poison Review Tags: Podcast Source Type: news
Severe childhood amitriptyline intoxication and plasmapheresis: a case report - Karacı M, Ozçetin M, Dilsiz G, Güçlü Songür YG.
Tricyclic antidepressant intoxication is one of the most frequently encountered and life-threatening causes of intoxication among referrals to emergency departments due to drug intoxication. There is no known antidote against any of the tricyclic antidepre... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))
Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) - March 15, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Tags: Age: Adolescents Source Type: news
The Dark Side of Acetaminophen, and more: Tox on the Web
The Dark Side of Acetaminophen: The Toronto Star has a long article this weekend about the hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen, both when taken in deliberate overdose as a suicidal gesture or attempt, or ingested in supra-therapeutic (or even therapeutic) doses. It was put together with the help of the investigative unit ProPublica and goes over much of the material covered in the recent “This American Life” episode but with a Canadian twist.
The piece states that a 2009 report “found a dozen cases in Health Canada’s adverse drug events database where people suffered liver injury or damage aft...
Source: The Poison Review - February 23, 2014 Category: Toxicology Authors: Leon Tags: Medical acetaminophen amitriptyline cyclobenzaprine ethylene glycol hepatotoxicity nasal naloxone tox on the web Source Type: news
Amitriptyline overdose in emergency department of university hospital: Evaluation of 250 patients - Paksu S, Duran L, Altuntas M, Zengin H, Salis O, Ozsevik S, Albayrak H, Murat N, Guzel A, Paksu M.
OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patients with acute amitriptyline poisoning and investigate predictive factors for the development of life-threatening complications.METHODS:Demographics, clinical, laboratory, and electrocardiographi... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))
Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) - February 15, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Tags: Alcohol and Other Drugs Source Type: news
Featured in NEJM Journal Watch: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Plus Amitriptyline for Pediatric Chronic Migraine (FREE)
By the NEJM Journal Watch Editors
Cognitive behavioral … (Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)
Source: Physician's First Watch current issue - January 15, 2014 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
Lipid rescue therapy can interfere with critical lab values
3 out of 5 stars
Caution with interpreting laboratory results after lipid rescue therapy. Punja M et al. Am J Emerg Med 2013 Oct;1536.e1-1536.e1
Reference (No abstract available)
This case report describes a 54-year-old man who presented to the emergency department after ingesting a suicidal ingestion of diphenhydramine, amitriptyline, and acetaminophen (APAP). On arrival the patient had evidence of cardiotoxicity with unstable vital signs and a prolonged QRS interval (136 msec). His initial aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was elevated (138 U/L).
After treatment with sodium bicarbonate, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an...
Source: The Poison Review - November 13, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Leon Tags: Medical amylase antidote aspartate intralipid laboratory error lipase lipid emulsion lipid rescue therapy pancreatitis transaminase Source Type: news
Lipid rescue therapy can cause lab errors
3 out of 5 stars
Caution with interpreting laboratory results after lipid rescue therapy. Punja M et al. Am J Emerg Med 2013 Aug 8 [Epub ahead of print]
No abstract available
This short case report from Emory University and the Georgia Poison Center makes the point that administering lipid rescue therapy (LRT) may affect laboratory results in ways that may be unanticipated. In the case, a 54-year-old man who ingested a mixed overdose of diphenhydramine, amitriptyline and acetaminophen. His initial aspartate aminotransferase level (measured on a Siemens Vista 1500 analyzer) was 138 U/L. After 20% IV lipids were given, a re...
Source: The Poison Review - August 22, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Leon Tags: Medical aspartate aminogransferase AST erroneous lab values laboratory error lipid rescue therapy Source Type: news
Sleep and Bipolar Episodes - A Vicious Circle
Scientists are exploring the link between "clock" genes and bipolar disorder. For example, 2008 study found that a mutation in the core clock gene in mice produced hyperactivity and mania-like behavior. And as I wrote in Mood Disorders and Sleep, a short night can actually cause manic or hypomanic episodes.
There's a lot of variance. I find that insomnia has a depressive effect on my mood, while hypersomnia (sleeping too much) is a symptom of my depression. Yet when I am hypomanic, I do have a decreased need for sleep. I am at my best when I consistently get 8 or 9 hours of restful sleep - or is it that I get 8 or 9 hours...
Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder - August 12, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news
Elavil / Endep / Amitriptyline Side Effects
Elavil - generic Amitriptyline - is a tricyclic antidepressant. This is a catalog of side effects for the medication Amitriptyline - brand names Elavil and Endep, which is sometimes prescribed for the treatment of bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. (Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder)
Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder - July 6, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: bipolar.guide at about.com Tags: health Source Type: news
Cognitive Tx Helps Kids with Migraines (CME/CE)
BOSTON (MedPage Today) -- Adding cognitive behavioral therapy to amitriptyline improved migraine control in children with near-daily headaches, a researcher reported here. (Source: MedPage Today Psychiatry)
Source: MedPage Today Psychiatry - July 2, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news
Melatonin for Migraine?Melatonin for Migraine?
A promising study compares melatonin with amitriptyline for the prevention of migraine headache. Medscape Neurology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - May 21, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology & Neurosurgery Commentary Source Type: news
'Star Trek' headband for migraine shows promise
Conclusion
While this news may seem like something out of science fiction, it appears that there is indeed some cause to think that a device looking similar to that worn by Star Trek’s Geordi La Forge (pictured above) could have the potential to be used by people who have migraines.
This news story is based on a well-designed study that benefits from using identical STS and sham devices. It also benefits from having a high follow-up rate and the fact that neither participants nor investigators were aware of which treatment each person used.
The study demonstrates that the STS had some effect in improving the main outcom...
Source: NHS News Feed - February 8, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medical practice Neurology Source Type: news
Antidepressant link to heart changes confirmed
Conclusion
This study shows a link between three antidepressants (two SSRIs and one tricyclic) and prolonged QT interval (a risk factor for rare but serious heart rhythm problems). The study did not assess the risk of these heart rhythm problems directly (which is difficult to measure because of their rarity). The researchers point out that the recent FDA warning over the risks of citalopram was based on its association with prolonged QT interval only, and “in spite of the epidemiological data showing no difference in risk for arrhythmia [heart rhythm abnormality]”.
The researchers say that certain SSRIs were not signi...
Source: NHS News Feed - January 31, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medication Mental health Source Type: news
