Few natural therapies perform well when stacked head-to-head with medication. Light therapy is an exception. When used correctly, it can treat winter and non-winter depression and augment antidepressants. Learn which lightboxes work, how to use them, and a new light therapy protocol for bipolar depression.

Pitolisant (Wakix) is now FDA-approved for narcolepsy and is the first histamine H3 agonist released. Though used for a neurologic condition, its novel mechanism has potential psychiatric effects that are worth monitoring.

Secuado, the first transdermal patch for schizophrenia, is newly approved version of asenapine (aka Saphris). It promises to reduce side effects and enhance adherence. However, it adds a new side effect of its own, and transdermal delivery isn’t clearly better than sublingual, which is how the older Saphris is absorbed.

A meta-analysis of 25 medications in over 25,000 patients with generalized anxiety disorder. The usual FDA-approved options are there, along with some surprises. Not all are equal, but the most effective of the bunch carries so many side effects that we can only recommend it as a last resort.

A randomized, double- blind, placebo-controlled trial studying the effects of olanzapine on change in body weight and obsessionality in adult outpatients with anorexia nervosa. Although strength of the study includes its large sample size, it is undetermined if patient weight gain is due to a therapeutic effect on anorexia or to olanzapine’s known metabolic effects.

Outdoor activity, massage, and touch therapy ranked most effective for agitation in dementia. Risperidone doesn’t appear to cause fractures.

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Adhansia XR is a new extended-release methylphenidate. Its distinguishing feature is its 16-hour duration.