Medication news 2004

Genetic markers found that may be used to predict who are at risk of developing side-effects from antipsychotic medication (12/23/04)

New Canadian research center aimed at developing drugs against mental illness (11/30/04)

Zyprexa and Geodon have different effects on several metabolic parameters (10/14/04)

Continued success for injectable antipsychotic medications (08/10/04)

Injectable, long-lasting medications help schizophrenics back to life (07/12/04)

The importance of medication (06/05/04)

Zyprexa better at preventing relapse than other atypical antispychotic medications (02/14/04)
Olanzapine may cause insulin resistance (02/10/04)
Intramuscular olanzapine more favourable than intramuscular haloperidol (02/07/04)

Medical associations in the US warn about antipsychotic medications (01/31/04)
Canada: Intramuscular Zyprexa now available (01/17/04)

Genetic markers found that may be used to predict who are at risk of developing side-effects at antipsychotic medication (12/23/04)
A study at Genaissance Pharmaceuticals has led to the discovery of genetic markers that the company believes can predict who are at risk of developing clozapine-induced agranulocytosis, a life-threatening disease with decrease of white blood cells, which requires frequent blood testing of patients.
Source: News-Medical.Net, Monday, December 20, 2004
Read more in article at www.news-medical.net

Genetic markers found that may be used to predict who is at risk of developing side-effects from antipsychotic medication (11/23/04)
A study by Genaissance Pharmaceuticals has led to the discovery of genetic markers that the company believes can predict who is at risk of developing clozapine-induced agranulocytosis, a life-threatening disease with decrease of white blood cells, which requires frequent blood testing of patients.
Source: News-Medical.Net, Monday, December 20, 2004
Read more in article at www.news-medical.net

New Canadian research center aimed at developing drugs against mental illness (11/30/04)
A $1.5 million project has been launched that will take place at the Brain Research Centre (BRC), a partnership of the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) in Canada. The aim is to develop “smart” drugs capable of targeting specific brain cells to control psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. “We’re designing a whole new generation of medications that will work only on brain cells in areas that need to be repaired,” says team leader Yu Tian Wang. “This new type of drug will correct abnormal brain functions in a targeted way, so patients don’t experience the side effects found in existing medications that affect the whole brain.”
Source: Innovations Report, Monday, November 29, 2004
Read more in article at www.innovations-report.com

Zyprexa and Geodon have different effects on several metabolic parameters (10/14/04)
A study of two common atypical antipsychotic medications, ziprasidone (Geodon) and olanzapine (Zyprexa), has found that while the two drugs are equally effective in the treatment of schizophrenia, they have significantly different effects on metabolic markers, such as body weight, and triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
Source: Doctor's Guide, Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Read more in article at www.docguide.com

Continued success for injectable antipsychotic medications (08/10/04)
More and more reports indicate that new-generation injectable antipsychotic medications may help many patients that don't respond to treatment with oral antipsychotic medications. The injectable forms of the drugs also seem to reduce the usual side-effects that many patients experience following treatment.
Source: Toronto Star, Friday, August 6, 2004
Read more in article at www.thestar.com

Injectable, long-lasting medications help schizophrenics back to life (07/12/04)
A great part of patients that suffer from schizophrenia have problems taking their oral medication on a regular basis. Missing medications is even considered as the major barrier to treatment success in schizophrenia. There is hope, however. Thanks to the introduction of injectable, long-acting medications for schizophrenia, patients can get help sticking to their medication.
Source: Florida Today, Friday, July 9, 2004
Read more in article at www.flatoday.com

The importance of medication (06/05/04)
Today, the cornerstone of psychiatric treatment is medication. Modern antipsychotic medicines can cure the schizophrenic symptoms in the majority of patients, without causing too severe side effects.
Source: Asbury Park Press, Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Read more in article at www.app.com

Zyprexa better at preventing relapse than other atypical antispychotic medication (02/14/04)
A clinical trial shows that Zyprexa (olanzapine) delays relapse significantly longer in patients with schizophrenia than other atypical antipsychotics, The study compared Zyprexa with Risperdal (risperidone), Seroquel (quetiapine)and Geodon (ziprasidone).
Source: Doctor's Guide, Wednesday, February 11, and EurekALert, Friday, Febryary 13, 2004
Read more in article at www.docguide.com
Read more in article at www.eurekalert.com

Olanzapine may cause insulin resistance (02/10/04)
An Austrian study shows that treatment with olanzapine may lead to a rapid induction of insulin resistance without affecting beta cell function.
Source: Doctor's Guide, Tuesday, February 3, 2004, and Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, v. 64(12), p. 1436-9, 2003
Read more in article at www.docguide.com
PubMed abstract

Intramuscular olanzapine more favourable than intramuscular haloperidol (02/07/04)
A Canadian study shows that intramuscular olanzapine is comparable to intramuscular haloperidol for reducing the symptoms of acute schizophrenia. In addition, olanzapine causes less side effects than haloperidol.
Source: Doctor's Guide, Friday, February 6, 2004, and Can J Psychiatry, v. 48(11), s. 716-21, 2003.
Read more in article at www.docguide.com
PubMed abstract

Medical associations in the US warn about antipsychotic medications (01/31/04)
Four medical associations in the US, the American Diabetes Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the North American Association for the Study of Obesity and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, have released a recommendation to people taking certain drugs for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, dementia or other psychiatric disorders. They suggest these people should be carefully watched for signs they are developing diabetes, obesity or high cholesterol.
Source: InteliHealth, Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Read more in article at www.intelihealth.com

Canada: Intramuscular Zyprexa now available (01/17/04)
Eli Lilly Canada Inc. has announced that en Zyprexa® IntraMuscular (olanzapine tartrate for intramuscular injection) is now available. The new form of Zyprexa is primarily intended for rapid control of agitation in patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. Zyprexa IntraMuscular is the first injectable form of a newer generation of antipsychotics (atypical antipsychotics) approved in Canada.
Source: Doctor's Guide, Thursday, January 15, 2004
Read more in article at www.docguide.com