Antidepressant News and Research

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Antidepressants are medicines that treat depression. Your doctor can prescribe them for you. They can improve your mood, sleep, appetite and concentration. It may take several weeks for them to help. There are several types of antidepressants. You and your doctor may have to try several before finding what works best for you.

1/3 of ICU patients develop depression that typically manifests as physical symptoms

A third of intensive care patients develop depression that typically manifests as physical, or somatic, symptoms such as weakness, appetite change, and fatigue, rather than psychological symptoms, according to one of the largest studies to investigate the mental health and functional outcomes of survivors of critical care, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

7 Apr 2014

BDSI enrolls first patient in Clonidine Topical Gel Phase 3 trial for treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. announced today the enrollment of the first patient in the RHAPSODY Study, a Phase 3 clinical trial of Clonidine Topical Gel for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.

3 Apr 2014

Ketamine offers novel treatment for patients with severe depression

New data show ketamine (a drug widely used for anaesthesia and pain relief) has a rapid antidepressant effect in some patients with severe depression. The first UK study of ketamine intravenous infusions in people with treatment-resistant depression was conducted by the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Oxford.

3 Apr 2014

Seroxat in combination with acupuncture produces significant effect in patients with unipolar depression

Acupuncture is more effective than oral antidepressants in improving depressive symptoms, and produces fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants.

28 Mar 2014

Antidepressant medications during pregnancy linked with increased rates of preterm birth

Antidepressant medications taken by pregnant women are associated with increased rates of preterm birth. This finding reinforces the notion that antidepressants should not be used by pregnant women in the absence of a clear need that cannot be met through alternative approaches, say researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Vanderbilt University, MetroWest Medical Center, and Tufts Medical Center.

28 Mar 2014

Research points strong reason to develop new class of antidepressant drug

Scientists have shown for the first time that a chemical in the brain called galanin is involved in the risk of developing depression.

From The University of Manchester 27 Mar 2014

Nasal spray holds promise as potential alternative therapeutic approach for depression

A nasal spray that delivers a peptide to treat depression holds promise as a potential alternative therapeutic approach, research from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows.

25 Mar 2014

Ventilator patients have considerable risk of developing psychological problems

Fortunately, more and more people survive critical illnesses and accidents. A new Danish-American survey shows, however, that hospitalisation where the patient has received mechanical ventilation can have serious consequences.

20 Mar 2014

Researchers examine effect of vitamin D supplementation on depression

Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in numerous health conditions in recent years, including depressed mood and major depressive disorder.

19 Mar 2014

Administration reverses course on proposed Medicare drug changes

After advancing a number of changes to the Medicare Part D program earlier this year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services withdrew its plan, which had drawn significant opposition from patients, drug companies and lawmakers in both parties.

11 Mar 2014

First Edition: March 11, 2014

Today's headlines include reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is stepping back from proposed changes to the Medicare drug program.

11 Mar 2014

Alkermes initiates pivotal clinical development program for treatment of MDD

Alkermes plc today announced the initiation of the pivotal clinical development program for ALKS 5461, a once-daily, oral investigational medicine with a novel mechanism of action for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

6 Mar 2014

Medicare drug program falls short in tracking fraud

Medicare's massive drug program continues to be in the news, from a report finding that it fails to adequately track fraud, to continued opposition to an administration proposal that would revamp the program.

5 Mar 2014

Naurex's GLYX-13 receives FDA Fast Track designation

Naurex Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Fast Track designation to the investigation of GLYX-13, the company's rapid-acting antidepressant in Phase 2 clinical development, as adjunctive therapy in major depressive disorder.

4 Mar 2014

Medicare Part D cost-saving plan draws opposition on several fronts

Among other things, the proposal would limit the types of antidepressants -- and other kinds of drugs -- that are available to Medicare beneficiaries. Drug industry and insurer groups are lining up against the change.

27 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 27, 2014

Today's headlines include a number of stories about Obama past and present administration officials -- notably, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden -- who are stepping up to "sell" people on enrolling in new health law insurance coverage.

27 Feb 2014

CBT improves blood sugar control and brings faster relief of depression in patients with type 2 diabetes

Although maintaining good blood sugar control is crucial for avoiding complications of diabetes, it has been estimated that only about half of patients are successful in meeting target blood glucose levels.

25 Feb 2014

Researchers determine whether vitamin D can improve mood in women with diabetes

Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing researchers are recruiting women for a study to determine whether raising blood levels of vitamin D can improve mood in women with diabetes.

25 Feb 2014

Omega-3 supplements, sertraline could help prevent onset of depression and dementia in later life

A University of Sydney study is looking into the effectiveness of omega-3 supplements and the antidepressant, sertraline, in reducing depressive symptoms and cognitive decline in older people, in a bid to prevent the onset of depression and dementia in later life.

24 Feb 2014