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Sexual dysfunction in tramadol hydrochloride use disorder male patients: a case-control study
Evidence suggests that opioids can modulate gonadal function, with consequent decreased release of sex hormones. We attempted to investigate the sexual function of males using tramadol hydrochloride (HCL) and its relationship to levels of free testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone, and to compare them with heroin use disorder patients and healthy controls. Our sample consisted of 60 opiate use disorder patients (assessed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I) (30 heroin and 30 tramadol) and 30 healthy controls. Sexual dysfunction was assessed using the International Index of Erect...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - December 3, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Use of cardiovascular and antidiabetic drugs before and after starting with clozapine versus other antipsychotic drugs: a Dutch database study
Reports of decreased mortality among patients with schizophrenia who use clozapine may be biased if clozapine is prescribed to relatively healthy patients and if intensive monitoring during its use prevents (under-treatment of) somatic disorder. We aimed to assess whether there is a difference in: (1) somatic comorbidity between patients who start with clozapine and those who start with other antipsychotics and (2) prescribed somatic medication, between patients using clozapine and those using olanzapine. Cohort study based on insurance claims (2010–2015). After selecting new users of antipsychotics and those who subsequ...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - December 3, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Effects of Passiflora incarnata Linnaeus on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study
The purpose of the present double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical study was to investigate the effects of Passionflower on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder. A total number 110 adult participants (mean age = 40.47 ± 11.68, Female = 53.6%) met the inclusion criteria of insomnia disorder according to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). After randomization, patients received either the Passionflower extract or the placebo for 2 weeks. Patients underwent an overnight polysomnography and completed sleep diaries, Insomnia Severity Index...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - December 3, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

OnabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of major depressive disorder: a phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adult females
This 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled multicenter randomized phase 2 trial evaluated efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA; BOTOX) vs. placebo for major depressive disorder (MDD) [NCT02116361]. Primary endpoint was the change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS); secondary endpoints were Clinical Global Impressions-Severity and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale at week 6. A total of 255 adult females were treated. OnabotA 30 U approached significance compared to placebo on MADRS (mixed-effect model repeated measures least-squares mean difference: −3.7; P = 0.053) and reached si...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - December 3, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Differential core pharmacotherapy in bipolar I versus bipolar II disorder and European versus American patients not in a syndromal episode
Assess bipolar disorder subtype and treatment location effects on bipolar disorder core pharmacotherapy. Outpatients not in a syndromal episode referred to the University of Milan and Stanford University Bipolar Disorder Clinics were assessed with SCID for the fourth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mood Disorders, and the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder Affective Disorders Evaluation, respectively. Prevalence and clinical correlates of antidepressant, antipsychotic, and mood stabilizer use, in aggregate and individually, were compared in bipolar I (BDI) versus II (BDII) pat...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - December 3, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Safety of traditional medicine and natural product supplements in psychiatry
Traditional medicines in the form of health food and supplements are highly popular nowadays. They are often aggressively promoted with unsubstantiated health benefit claims. Patients suffering from chronic illness, such as psychiatric disorders may be attracted to these products and use them concurrently with their prescribed drugs. The potential danger of these health supplements and traditional medicines containing products have prompted repeated warnings by the US Food and Drug Administration in recent years. A new initiative by the Food and Drug Administration in 2019 was also implemented to strengthen the oversight o...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - December 3, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Review Article Source Type: research

Impact of Ramadan fasting on medical and psychiatric health
Ramadan is a religious month dedicated to prayer, fasting and feasting. Recently, there has been an increased interest among healthcare providers regarding possible health-related complications as a consequence of religious fasting such as that seen during Ramadan. In May 2018, a 34-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, depressive type, was admitted for inpatient hospitalization to an inpatient psychiatric hospital in Buffalo, New York. The earliest date of initial diagnosis is unclear; however, the patient reports an increase in symptoms during her early twenties. Upon admission, the patien...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - September 27, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Case Report Source Type: research

Trends of antidementia drugs use in outpatients with Alzheimer’s disease in six major cities of China: 2012–2017
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that requires pharmacological intervention. We conducted a descriptive study using pharmacy prescription data of antidementia drugs. Prescription information of 99 541 patients was obtained from 55 hospitals. Overall the number of Alzheimer’s disease outpatients of sampling days increased from 10 239 in 2012 to 20 546 in 2017. The main age range of patients suffering Alzheimer’s disease was 75–84, while the patients aged above 85 was increasing. Nonusers of antidementia drugs, cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and memantine slowly decreased over the stu...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - September 27, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Long-term effects of paliperidone palmitate on hospital stay and treatment continuation
There is a growing need for real world data on long-term clinical and health resource utilization outcomes. The main purpose of this study was to establish the effects of 1-monthly Paliperidone Palmitate (PP1M) on treatment continuation and hospital stay in routine clinical practice. This is a naturalistic, 6-year mirror-image study examining retention and hospitalization rates 3 years pre-PP1M and 3 years post-PP1M initiation. One hundred seventy-three patients were included; 120 (70%) had a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia and 53 (30%) other diagnosis. In total, 77% of patients continued PP1M for one year, 66% for two ...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - September 27, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Compliance in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: the role of clinical pharmacist
In this study, our aim was to evaluate whether drug education provided by a clinical pharmacist during discharging period has an effect on compliance. Forty adult patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders were included. A number of scales were used to evaluate the severity of illness, medication adverse effects and compliance. At time of discharge, it was emphasized to patients by a clinical pharmacist that medication compliance was important to prevent exacerbation or hospitalization. Six to eight weeks after discharge, patients were invited to be reevaluated using the same scales as those applied during hospitalization...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - September 27, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Concomitant use of alcohol and benzodiazepine hypnotics in psychiatric outpatients: a cross-sectional survey
The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to investigate the prevalence of concomitant use of benzodiazepine hypnotics and alcohol in psychiatric outpatients, (2) to examine the clinical characteristics and factors associated with the concomitant use, and (3) to investigate the awareness of the psychiatrists-in-charge about the concomitant use. Outpatients with schizophrenia, depression, and insomnia who were receiving benzodiazepine hypnotics were asked to fill in a sleeping diary for seven consecutive days in which use of hypnotics and alcohol was also recorded. Clinical characteristics were assessed, and logisti...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - September 27, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

A personal account of depressive illness and its antidepressant treatment
Depression crept quietly over me as a shadow lengthens towards dusk. Probable contributory factors include familial predisposition, multiple bereavement, physical illness and being abused online. The first few days of antidepressant drug treatment were unsettling, but I responded steadily, the medication side effects proved tolerable, and my depressive and anxiety symptoms had remitted within 4 weeks. Insights from literature were helpful in recovery. I hope this experience of illness and treatment will enhance my clinical practice and contribute to discussions about depression and antidepressant medicines. (Source: Intern...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - September 27, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research

Reintroduction of quazepam: an update on comparative hypnotic and adverse effects
Insomnia is a prevalent disorder that affects over one-third of the U.S. population to varying degrees and is highly disruptive towards quality of life. Pharmacological treatments for insomnia include benzodiazepines (BZs) and the non-BZ ‘Z-drugs’ (zolpidem, zaleplon, eszopiclone, zopiclone), which are amongst the most widely prescribed medications. Yet, these agents can produce adverse effects such as tolerance to the hypnotic effect, rebound insomnia, next-day residual drowsiness, as well as amnesia and complex behaviours such as sleep-walking, sleep-eating and sleep-driving. Quazepam, one of the five BZ approved for...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - September 27, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research

Patient attitudes to clozapine initiation: Erratum
No abstract available (Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology)
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - August 3, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Errata Source Type: research

Delayed complications after severe clozapine intoxication: a case report. The pharmacokinetic profile of clozapine and it’s important role in the course of symptoms
We present the case of a 50-year-old man showing severe complications 15 hours after intoxication with 4200 mg clozapine. Treatment consisted of strict monitoring, including vital support and regular clozapine blood levels. Clinical presentations may be delayed up to 5 days after intoxication, for which strict monitoring of clinical symptoms and vital functions during this period is of major importance. We discuss the clinical course of clozapine intoxication, the value of sampling clozapine blood levels and provide an overview of the current treatment guidelines, which we suggest to update to include the management of del...
Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology - August 3, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research