Prescribing of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors among psychiatrists

A synchronous spectrofluorometric technique for simultaneous detection of alfuzosin and tadalafil: applied to tablets and spiked biological samples

A facile, accurate, eco-friendly and sensitive spectrofluorometric method was evolved to assay alfuzosin hydrochloride (AFH) and tadalafil (TDF) in different matrices. Such a co-administered combination is clinically used for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms. Both compounds are characterized by their native fluorescence spectra upon excitation at specific wavelengths. Their characteristic fluorescence spectra were used for sensitive assay of the studied analytes in tablets and human biological samples. The assay principle is based on first-order synchronous spectrofluorometric scan using Δλ = 60 nm in which AFH peaks were recorded at 366 nm. Meanwhile, TDF measurements were recorded at 293 nm in the same scans without overlap with AFH spectra. Recent analytical chemistry trends were implemented to lessen occupational and environmental perils, using ethanol as a diluting solvent for method optimization and application. Linearity ranges were 5.0-90.0 and 10.0-100.0 ng ml^-1 for AFH and TDF, respectively in their raw materials with average % recoveries of 100.44% and 99.73% in raw materials, 100.15% and 100.20% in spiked plasma, and 97.14% and 99.99% in spiked urine. The proposed method was successfully applied to Prostetrol and Starkoprex commercial tablets with no interference with common tablet additives.

A synchronous spectrofluorometric technique for simultaneous detection of alfuzosin and tadalafil: applied to tablets and spiked biological samples

A facile, accurate, eco-friendly and sensitive spectrofluorometric method was evolved to assay alfuzosin hydrochloride (AFH) and tadalafil (TDF) in different matrices. Such a co-administered combination is clinically used for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms. Both compounds are characterized by their native fluorescence spectra upon excitation at specific wavelengths. Their characteristic fluorescence spectra were used for sensitive assay of the studied analytes in tablets and human biological samples. The assay principle is based on first-order synchronous spectrofluorometric scan using Δλ = 60 nm in which AFH peaks were recorded at 366 nm. Meanwhile, TDF measurements were recorded at 293 nm in the same scans without overlap with AFH spectra. Recent analytical chemistry trends were implemented to lessen occupational and environmental perils, using ethanol as a diluting solvent for method optimization and application. Linearity ranges were 5.0-90.0 and 10.0-100.0 ng ml^-1 for AFH and TDF, respectively in their raw materials with average % recoveries of 100.44% and 99.73% in raw materials, 100.15% and 100.20% in spiked plasma, and 97.14% and 99.99% in spiked urine. The proposed method was successfully applied to Prostetrol and Starkoprex commercial tablets with no interference with common tablet additives.

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY SURVEY OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGISTS' PRACTICE PATTERNS FOR THE TREATMENT OF MOOD DISORDERS

BACKGROUND

Optimal successive treatment decisions are not well established after an initial medication nonresponse in major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. While practice guidelines offer consensus-based expert treatment recommendations, little is known about "real world" pharmacology decision making by practicing psychopharmacologists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We surveyed via Internet the national membership of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) to study preferred pharmacotherapy strategies and factors that influence medication choices for patients with mood disorders.

RESULTS

Surveys were returned by 154/752 ASCP members (21%). After nonresponse to a serotonin reuptake inhibitor in major depressive disorder, participants equally favored switching within or across antidepressant classes. After a partial response, adjunctive bupropion was the preferred intervention, followed by changing antidepressant classes. Atypical antipsychotic augmentation was only a fourth-line consideration, even though moderate or marked efficacy was perceived in most instances with olanzapine, aripiprazole, and quetiapine. Respondents favored avoiding antidepressants in bipolar I patients with mixed/cycling features or prior antidepressant-associated mania/hypomania. In rapid cyclers, they advocated antidepressant cessation and preferred the use of atypical antipsychotics and lamotrigine.

CONCLUSIONS

Participating psychopharmacologists treating adults with mood disorders report prescribing medications that largely mirror the evidence base with only a few notable exceptions, in consideration of the characteristics of definable clinical subpopulations.