Some Ideas for Handling Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is being better understood each day. There is also ongoing research into its treatment.
But successfully treating bipolar disorder can involve several medication trials, and it can take years to achieve remission. Even if remission is attained, recurrence is the rule — not the exception. It’s not uncommon for all first-line treatments to be exhausted.
People in this situation may be considered by mental health professionals to be treatment-resistant. Luckily, there are treatments that can be tried when first-line, and even second-line, treatments for bipolar disorder fail.
What is Treatment ...
Source: Psych Central - June 8, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Natasha Tracy Tags: Anticonvulsants Antidepressants Atypical Antipsychotics Bipolar Cognitive-Behavioral Disorders General Medications Mood Stabilizers Psychotherapy Treatment Abilify Aripiprazole Bipolar Disorder Clinicians Consensus Depakote Source Type: news
Some Ideas for Handling Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is being better understood each day. There is also ongoing research into its treatment.
But successfully treating bipolar disorder can involve several medication trials, and it can take years to achieve remission. Even if remission is attained, recurrence is the rule — not the exception. It’s not uncommon for all first-line treatments to be exhausted.
People in this situation may be considered by mental health professionals to be treatment-resistant. Luckily, there are treatments that can be tried when first-line, and even second-line, treatments for bipolar disorder fail.
What is Treatment ...
Source: Psych Central - June 8, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Natasha Tracy Tags: Anticonvulsants Antidepressants Atypical Antipsychotics Bipolar Cognitive-Behavioral Disorders General Medications Mood Stabilizers Psychotherapy Treatment Abilify Aripiprazole Bipolar Disorder Clinicians Consensus Depakote Source Type: news
Potentially Serious Reactions to Lamictal
Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anti-epilepsy medication often used as a mood stabilizer to treat adults with bipolar disorder. Lamictal may cause some rare but serious reactions. (Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder)
Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder - June 6, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: bipolar.guide at about.com Tags: health Source Type: news
Lamictal doesn't cause Weight Gain in Patients...
Results from an analysis presented in May of 2004 show that long-term treatment with Lamictal (lamotrigine) is not associated with clinically relevant changes in weight when used in patients with bipolar I disorder compared to placebo. (Source: About.com Mental Health)
Source: About.com Mental Health - June 5, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: mentalhealth.guide at about.com Tags: health Source Type: news
Meds Don't Help Anymore
Tortoiseshell on our forum asked the following question:
I feel it is time for me to change meds or add something to the current meds.
I am currently on Pristiq 100mg/day and Lamictal 200 mg/day. Increasing the dose didn't help, but worsened the side effects. These meds worked relatively well for me for 3 years until last September I had very emotionally difficult situation and got into destructive relationship. It threw me back again. Since then I haven't been able to enjoy myself and life despite of going to counseling weekly. Just not getting better.
I am seeing my psychiatrist next week. She is very flexi...
Source: About.com Depression - May 30, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news
Lamotrigine for Major Depressive Disorder Is Inappropriate
On the basis of currently available evidence, clinicians are urged to not prescribe lamotrigine for Major Depressive Disorder. (Source: Psychiatric Times)
Source: Psychiatric Times - April 12, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news
Lamictal/Lamotrigine Side Effects
The side effects of Lamictal - generic lamotrigine - are important for patients and their caregivers to know. While Lamictal is generally a safe and well-tolerated medication, some side effects are serious or even life threatening. (Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder)
Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder - March 27, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: bipolar.guide at about.com Tags: health Source Type: news
Getting to Know Lamictal and Lamotrigine
One of the most important things I know about the mood stabilizer Lamictal, and its generic version lamotrigine, is that in either form, it TASTES TERRIBLE. Well, yes, that IS ...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder)
Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder - March 21, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news
FDA Updates Atazanavir Sulfate Capsule Labeling
“Recently [February 4, 2013] FDA approved changes to the Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate) capsule labeling to include the following changes.
“Section 5 Warnings and Precautions was revised to include cholelithiasis ...
“In section 6 Adverse Reactions: Postmarketing Experience, interstitial nephritis was added.
“In section 7 Drug Interactions: information regarding coadministration with boceprevir, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, lamotrigine and voriconazole was added.”
The updated labeling will be available at the FDA website.
More information is available:
FDA: Press rele...
Source: AIDSinfo At-a-Glance: Offering Information on HIV/AIDS Treatment, Prevention, and Research, A Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - February 12, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children prenatally exposed to antiepileptic drugs
Source: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
Area: News
Prenatal exposure to the majority of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) has been linked to an increased risk of major congenital malformations in a dose dependent manner. There is also evidence that prenatal exposure to sodium valproate (VPA) is associated with reduced cognitive functioning in the exposed child which has increased concern about the longer term influences of prenatal exposure to AEDs.
A prospective cohort study of children born to women with epilepsy (WWE) initiated in 2000, aimed to document physical health and cognitive development. Between 2000 and 20...
Source: NeLM - News - January 31, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
Perampanel for epilepsy: No proof of added benefit
(Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care) In an early benefit assessment IQWiG examined whether perampanel offers an added benefit over the previous standard therapy in people with epileptic fits. However, no such added benefit can be derived from the dossier, because the manufacturer failed to present suitable data for the comparison with lamotrigine or topiramate. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - January 30, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
FDA Updates Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra) Labeling to Include New Drug Interaction Information
"On January 17, 2013, FDA approved revisions to the Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) labels to include new drug interaction information. The following updates were included.
"Anticoagulants: Rivaroxaban. Avoid concomitant use of rivaroxaban and Kaletra. Coadministration of Kaletra and rivaroxaban is expected to result in increased exposure of rivaroxaban which may led to risk of increased bleeding
"Anticonvulsants: Lamotrigine and valproate. Coadministration of Kaletra and lamotrigine or valproate may decrease the exposure of lamotrigine or valproate. A dose increase of the lamotrigine or valproate may be nee...
Source: AIDSinfo At-a-Glance: Offering Information on HIV/AIDS Treatment, Prevention, and Research, A Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - January 22, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Postpartum Depression Looks Almost Like Psychosis
Postpartum thyroid disturbances or severe abnormalities of the hypothalamus can look like depression or psychosis, but can also be medical emergencies. Hormonal changes during and after pregnancy are very significant and enough to wreak havoc on one’s mental state. I encourage child-bearing women to discuss any mood disturbances with their physicians and their partner. read more (Source: Psychology Today Depression Center)
Source: Psychology Today Depression Center - January 15, 2013 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Robert J. Hedaya, M.D., D.F.A.P.A Tags: Depression Health Parenting Sex bloating Cymbalta dry skin early meetings hormonal changes hypothalamus lamictal low energy medical emergencies medication trials methylphenidate monoamine oxidase inhibitor mood disturbances Source Type: news
