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The Carlat Psychiatry Report

Anticonvulsants in Psychiatry (February) | 2008

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Novel Anticonvulsants: An Update on Efficacy

February 1, 2008

In this article, we’ll review the clinical data on three of the most frequently used of the novel anticonvulsants: Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), Topamax (topiramate), and Neurontin (gabapentin). We cover Lamictal in this month’s expert interview with Nassir Ghaemi. Read More

The Kindling Hypothesis: Is It Relevant in Psychiatry?

February 1, 2008

Over the past couple of decades, psychiatry has adopted a number of anticonvulsants that effectively treat psychiatric conditions. The “kindling hypothesis” has provided a rationale for their increasing use, but what is the evidence behind this theory, and is it actually applicable for psychiatric practice? Read More

DEA changes rules to allow post-dating of schedule II substances

February 1, 2008

In a ruling certain to make psychiatrists and their patients happy, the DEA has finally said that doctors may give patients 90 days worth of prescriptions for schedule II controlled substances, which includes stimulants and narcotics. Read More

Placebo more effective than antipsychotics for aggression in mental retardation

February 1, 2008

In a multi-center study conducted in Great Britain and Australia, 86 adults with mental retardation (IQ < 75) and aggressive behavior were randomized to double-blind treatment with Risperdal (mean dose, 1.8 mg/day), Haldol (mean dose, 2.9 mg/day), or placebo. The primary outcome was score on the modified overt aggression scale (MOAS) at 4 weeks. Read More

Criteria proposed to predict which prodromal patients will become psychotic

February 1, 2008

The North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study is a consortium of 8 academic centers (all but one in the U.S.) seeking to develop predictors of the development of psychosis in young patients who present with prodromal symptoms. Read More

New lab test recommended before prescribing Tegretol or Lamictal to Asians

February 1, 2008

The FDA has issued a warning that Asian patients with a specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) are at increased risk of developing life-threatening Stevens Johnson syndrome rash, and should be tested for this antigen before initiating treatment. Read More

The Use of Lamictal in Psychiatry

February 1, 2008

Dr. Ghaemi, Lamictal (lamotrigine) has become a very popular medication in psychiatry, but there remains some confusion about when to use it. What is its official FDA-approved indication? Read More