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Madeira L, Queiroz G, Henriques R. Prepandemic psychotropic drug status in Portugal: a nationwide pharmacoepidemiological profile. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6912. [PMID: 37106018 PMCID: PMC10139661 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33765-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The prescription of psychotropic drugs has been rising in Europe over the last decade. This study provides a comprehensive profile of prepandemic consumption patterns of antidepressant, antipsychotic, and anxiolytic drugs in Portugal considering full nationwide psychotropic drug prescription and dispensing records (2016-2019) against several criteria, including active ingredient, sociodemographics, medical specialty, and incurred costs. An increase of 29.6% and 34.7% in the consumption of antipsychotics and antidepressants between 2016 and 2019 is highlighted, accompanied by an increase of 37M Eur in total expenditure (> 20M Eur in public copay) for these classes of drugs. Disparities in sociodemographic and geographical incidence are identified. Amongst other pivotal results, 64% of psychotropic drug prescriptions are undertaken by general practitioners, while only 21% undertaken by neurological and psychiatric specialties. Nationwide patterns of psychotropic drug prescription further reveal notable trends and determinants, establishing a reference point for cross-regional studies and being currently assessed at a national level to establish psychosocial initiatives and guidelines for medical practice and training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Madeira
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa; Hospital CUF Descobertas, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Rui Henriques
- INESC-ID and Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
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When to Use Amisulpride in Adolescents: A Retrospective Chart Examination of Inpatients. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2022; 42:247-253. [PMID: 35149609 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000001529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND Despite increasing interest in amisulpride, current knowledge about its use in the pediatric population is scarce. This chart review aimed to investigate the use of amisulpride in a naturalistic adolescent population. METHODS/PROCEDURES Electronic medical records of a tertiary care adolescent inpatient unit were screened between January 2015 and April 2021. Sociodemographic data and all clinical information were collected via data collection forms, and targeted symptoms were obtained from patients' files. Patients with early-onset psychotic disorders (n = 58), bipolar I disorder (n = 29), major depressive disorder (n = 14), and other psychiatric diagnoses (n = 9) were included. Treatment response was defined as a Clinical Global Impression-Improvement of at least much improvement after treatment. FINDINGS/RESULTS Median titration rate of amisulpride was 400 mg/wk, and the maximum administered daily dose ranged between 100 and 1200 mg/d. The maximum daily dose and number of previous antipsychotics were higher in the early-onset psychotic disorder group. Persistent positive symptoms and resistance to previous treatments were leading causes for amisulpride treatment. Other indications were also impulsive/disruptive behaviors, antipsychotic adverse effects, depressive symptoms, somatic complaints, and abnormalities in liver function tests. Finally, patients with lower daily treatment doses and more previous antipsychotic trials are less likely to benefit from the treatment. IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS Persistent psychotic/mood symptoms, impulsive/disruptive behaviors, and abnormalities in liver function tests were reasons for the amisulpride treatment in adolescents. Randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment in adolescents.
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Hopkins SC, Wilkinson S, Corriveau TJ, Nishikawa H, Nakamichi K, Loebel A, Koblan KS. Discovery of Nonracemic Amisulpride to Maximize Benefit/Risk of 5-HT7 and D2 Receptor Antagonism for the Treatment of Mood Disorders. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2021; 110:808-815. [PMID: 33961287 PMCID: PMC8453756 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to the dose‐occupancy relationship in the treatment of schizophrenia, the minimal effective level of dopamine receptor 2 (D2R) blockade for antipsychotics in the treatment of bipolar depression is unknown. Lower doses aimed at reducing extrapyramidal side effects must be balanced against the need to retain the therapeutic benefit of D2R blockade on emergent cycling, mixed, manic, anxiety, and/or psychotic symptoms. Dose‐reductions intended to lower D2R blockade, however, could also decrease concomitant serotonin receptor antagonism and its potential benefit on depressive symptoms. Here, we uncoupled the potential antidepressant activity in amisulpride, driven by 5‐HT7 receptor (5‐HT7R) antagonism, from the D2R‐mediated antipsychotic activity by discovering that each enantiomer favors a different receptor. Aramisulpride was more potent at 5‐HT7R relative to esamisulpride (Ki 47 vs. 1,900 nM, respectively), whereas esamisulpride was more potent at D2R (4.0 vs. 140 nM). We hypothesized that a nonracemic ratio might achieve greater 5‐HT7R‐mediated antidepressant effects at a lower level of D2R blockade. The dose‐occupancy relationship of esamisulpride at D2R was determined by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in human volunteers. Separately the dose‐relationship of aramisulpride was established in humans using suppression of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep as a marker of 5‐HT7R antagonism. These results led to the discovery of an 85:15 ratio of aramisulpride to esamisulpride (SEP‐4199) that maximizes the potential for antidepressant benefit of aramisulpride via 5‐HT7R and reduces esamisulpride to minimize D2R‐related extrapyramidal side effects while still retaining D2R‐mediated effects predicted to provide benefit in bipolar depression. The antidepressant efficacy of SEP‐4199 was recently confirmed in a proof‐of‐concept trial for the treatment of bipolar depression (NCT03543410).
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth C Hopkins
- Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Scott Wilkinson
- Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Hiroyuki Nishikawa
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Keiko Nakamichi
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Antony Loebel
- Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA
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Howells FM, Kingdon DG, Baldwin DS. Current and potential pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for anxiety symptoms and disorders in patients with schizophrenia: structured review. Hum Psychopharmacol 2017; 32. [PMID: 28812313 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Between 30% and 62% of patients with schizophrenia present with co-morbid anxiety disorders that are associated with increased overall burden. Our aim was to summarize current and potential interventions for anxiety in schizophrenia. DESIGN Structured review, summarizing pharmacological and psychosocial interventions used to reduce anxiety in schizophrenia and psychosis. RESULTS Antipsychotics have been shown to reduce anxiety, increase anxiety, or have no effect. These may be augmented with another antipsychotic, anxiolytic, or antidepressant. Novel agents, such as L-theanine, pregabalin, and cycloserine, show promise in attenuating anxiety in schizophrenia. Psychosocial therapies have been developed to reduce the distress of schizophrenia. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has shown that benefit and refinements in the therapy have been successful, for example, for managing worry in schizophrenia. CBT usually involves more than 16 sessions, as short courses of CBT do not attenuate the presentation of anxiety in schizophrenia. To address time and cost, the development of manualized CBT to address anxiety in schizophrenia is being developed. CONCLUSIONS The presence of coexisting anxiety symptoms and co-morbid anxiety disorders should be ascertained when assessing patients with schizophrenia or other psychoses as a range of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur M Howells
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David G Kingdon
- Department of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - David S Baldwin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Psychiatry Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Jang YJ, Jeong TC, Noh K, Baek IW, Kwon KI, Kim E, Yoon YR, Kang W. Prandial effect on the systemic exposure of amisulpride. Arch Pharm Res 2014; 37:1325-8. [PMID: 24469600 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-014-0331-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A substituted benzamide, amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic and a specific antagonist for dopamine D2 and D3 receptors. The prandial effect on amisulpride absorption remains unclear, therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effect of food on the systemic exposure to amisulpride in healthy volunteers. The study was a randomized, two-way crossed trial in which a single oral dose of amisulpride was administered on two occasions, with 7-days washout period between each drug administration. The volunteers were randomly divided into two groups and received amisulpride (50 mg) with Korean traditional food or under fasting state. Blood was serially taken, and the plasma amisulpride concentrations were measured by LC/MS/MS. At fasting state, amisulpride reached the first peak (37.1 ± 13.3 ng/ml) at ~2.3 h, and decreased down to 19.4 ± 4.3 ng/ml until 3.5 h, and then again went up to the second peak (25.3 ± 5.8 ng/ml) at 5 h followed by a slow decay with 10.6 h of half-life. In contrast, no double peaks were shown when the drug was given with meal. The maximum concentration of amisulpride (56.0 ± 12.7 ng/ml) was increased by a 1.5-fold compared with that under fasting (p > 0.05), and the time to peak shortened a little (1.7 ± 0.6 h).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo-Jung Jang
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Kyoungbuk, 712-749, South Korea
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Lee SJ, Lee JH, Jung SW, Koo BH, Choi TY, Lee KH. A 6-Week, Randomized, Multicentre, Open-Label Study Comparing Efficacy and Tolerability of Amisulpride at a Starting Dose of 400 mg/day versus 800 mg/day in Patients with Acute Exacerbations of Schizophrenia. Clin Drug Investig 2012; 32:735-45. [DOI: 10.1007/s40261-012-0002-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Varol Tas F, Guvenir T. Amisulpride treatment of adolescent patients with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorders. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2009; 18:511-3. [PMID: 19267176 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-009-0009-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2008] [Accepted: 02/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In this article, our aim was to share our clinical experience regarding the effectiveness and the side effects of amisulpride treatment in adolescent cases. We reviewed all the cases who had amisulpride treatment during their stay in a newly opened in-patient unit, and three female cases who had undergone amisulpride treatment. We observed that the drug was effective and caused side effects like galactorrhea due to increased prolactin levels, which were not severe enough to terminate the treatment. Our clinical experience provides preliminary evidence that amisulpride might be an effective antipsychotic drug for adolescent cases. However, it caused considerable side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Varol Tas
- Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Dokuz Eylul, 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey.
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Thomas P, Alptekin K, Gheorghe M, Mauri M, Olivares JM, Riedel M. Management of patients presenting with acute psychotic episodes of schizophrenia. CNS Drugs 2009; 23:193-212. [PMID: 19320529 DOI: 10.2165/00023210-200923030-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The initial management of patients with schizophrenia presenting to psychiatric emergency departments with an acute psychotic episode requires rapid decisions to be made by physicians concerning the treatment of individuals who are likely to be relatively uncooperative, agitated and lacking insight. The treatment decision must be adapted to the individual characteristics and needs of each patient. This article reviews the issues from the perspective of the initial management of acute psychosis as it is currently practised in Europe, and discusses the pragmatic implications for initial treatment decisions and the elaboration of a long-term treatment plan. Initially, administration of antipsychotics to control psychotic symptoms and benzodiazepines to control agitation represents the cornerstone of treatment. Oral medication is preferable to injectable forms wherever possible, and atypical antipsychotics are to be preferred over conventional agents because of their lower risk of extrapyramidal adverse effects, which are a major determinant of poor adherence to treatment. Whatever antipsychotic is chosen by the physician during the initial period, it is likely that it will need to be continued for many years, and it is thus important to take into account the long-term safety profile of the drug chosen, particularly in relation to extrapyramidal adverse effects, metabolic complications and quality of life. Building a therapeutic alliance with the patient and his/her family or carers is an important element that should be included in the initial management of psychosis. The long-term goal should be to minimize the risk of psychotic relapse through adequate treatment adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Thomas
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Lille Medical School, Lille, France.
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Abstract
Amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic drug with a unique receptor pharmacology which is dose dependent. It is a standard treatment in dysthymia as well as in psychosis. Amisulpride is efficacious, effective and well tolerated in positive symptoms of schizophrenia: there is extensive evidence that it treats negative symptoms when given in low doses, although relative lack of EPS and an antidepressant effect may contribute. In first-episode patients amisulpride is an option, although there is little comparative work available. Amisulpride has the best evidence as an effective adjunct to clozapine treatment. Regarding intellectual function, amisulpride appears cognitive sparing but the clinical relevance of this remains obscure. There is evidence that amisulpride can improve social function but again there is little comparative work to demonstrate any particular advantages. Regarding the current conventional versus atypical antipsychotic controversy, amisulpride did better in switching studies and meta-analyses than in the single large pragmatic randomized trial reported to date. It is a versatile drug, and may offer advantages over other atypical antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of negative and depressive symptoms, and tolerability advantages such as the avoidance of weight gain. Essentially it rests with the treating clinician to employ a rational psychopharmacological approach towards the individual patient: there will be few circumstances in which amisulpride will not be a likely contender as a treatment choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Mortimer
- Department of Psychiatry, Hertford Building, The University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom.
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Altamura AC, Goikolea JM. Differential diagnoses and management strategies in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2008; 4:311-7. [PMID: 18728801 PMCID: PMC2515895 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s2703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Successful treatment of psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, is complicated and is affected by a broad range of factors associated with the diagnosis, choice of treatment and social factors. In these patients, treatment management must focus on accurate and early diagnosis, to ensure that correct treatment is administered as soon as possible. In both disorders, the treatment of the disease in the acute phase must be maintained long term to provide continuous relief and normal function; the treatment choice in the early stages of the disease may impact on long-term outcomes. In schizophrenia, treatment non-compliance is an important issue, with up to 50% of patients discontinuing treatment for reasons as diverse as efficacy failure, social barriers, and more commonly, adverse events. Treatment non-compliance also remains an issue in bipolar disorder, as tolerability of mood stabilizers, especially lithium, is not always good, and combination treatments are frequent. In order to achieve an optimal outcome in which the patient continues with their medication life-long, treatment should be tailored to each individual, taking into account treatment and family history, and balancing efficacy with tolerability to maximize patient benefit and minimize the risk of discontinuation. These case studies illustrate how treatment should be monitored, tailored and often changed over time to meet these needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Carlo Altamura
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, IRCCS Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Mangiagalli e Regina Elena Milan, Italy.
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