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Showing papers on "Psychotropic drug published in 1987"


Journal Article
TL;DR: The Symptom Questionnaire is a yes/no questionnaire with brief and simple items that contains state scales of depression, anxiety, anger-hostility, and somatic symptoms that are suitable for the measurement of distress and hostility in research and as a checklist in clinical work.
Abstract: The Symptom Questionnaire (SQ) is a yes/no questionnaire with brief and simple items. It contains state scales of depression, anxiety, anger-hostility, and somatic symptoms. It was developed from earlier versions to make the scales more sensitive for clinical research. The scales have been extensively validated. The psychometric properties of the SQ are somewhat different from those of similar scales. In double-blind, crossover studies, they tended to be more sensitive than other scales in discriminating between the effects of a psychotropic drug and placebo and were found to be highly sensitive in discriminating between distress levels of groups. In studies with small or moderately sized samples in which the sensitivity of scales is important or in populations that include subjects with poor verbal skills, the SQ seems to have advantages. The SQ is suitable for the measurement of distress and hostility in research and as a checklist in clinical work.

438 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In a survey of psychotropic drug prescribing for in-patients in three different types of psychiatric hospitals, the prevalence of combinations of more than one psychotrop drug varied from 45% in one hospital to 94% in another, with significant consistent differences between the use of drug combinations.
Abstract: In a survey of psychotropic drug prescribing for in-patients in three different types of psychiatric hospitals, the prevalence of combinations of more than one psychotropic drug varied from 45% in one hospital to 94% in another, with significant consistent differences between the use of drug combinations in the various hospitals. Combinations of two antipsychotic drugs were particularly frequent; the hospital with the lowest prevalence of polypharmacy was the only one with an associated psychopharmacology unit. Access to clinical pharmacology teaching may be an important factor in determining appropriate drug-prescribing habits.

58 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The benzodiazepine era began almost 30 years ago, in style; the drugs were safe in overdose, had greater efficacy than the barbiturates, and had virtually no unwanted effects, apart from sedation when given in excessive dosage.
Abstract: For the past 20 years, benzodiazepines have been the most commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs. It is now difficult to imagine the excitement produced by this new class of compounds. Existing anti-anxiety drugs, mainly the barbiturates, were known to be dangerous in overdosage, tend to cause addiction, and have many side-effects. Previous compounds, including opium, alcohol, chloral, and bromides, were similarly burdened. The benzodiazepine era began almost 30 years ago, in style. “Four hours after being given chlordiazepoxide on New Year's day 1958, one of 12 chronically anxious but therapeutically recalcitrant patients previously studied by Tobin and N. D. C. Lewis telephoned that for the first time in many years he was totally free from symptoms” (Hordern, 1968). The early studies were all enthusiastic and confirmed the therapeutic potential of the drug (Tobin et al, 1960; Jenner et al, 1961). In the ‘tranquilliser decade’ of the 1970s, prescriptions of benzodiazepines increased at a rate that was perceived as alarming, ‘the relentless march of the psychotropic drug juggernaut’ (Trethowan, 1975). This concern was related more to the inappropriate use of these drugs for treating personal problems than to the demonstration of dangers with these compounds. The dangers, however, appeared to be remarkably few; the drugs were safe in overdose, had greater efficacy than the barbiturates (Lader et al, 1974), and had virtually no unwanted effects, apart from sedation when given in excessive dosage. It was therefore hardly surprising that they proved so popular with clinicians. As Priest (1980) commented when benzodiazepine prescription was at its peak: “it is a tremendous boon to the medical profession to have active weapons in the fight against misery that are not only effective but are relatively safe when abused by despairing and desperate patients”.

48 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The EEG was quantified by spectrum analysis, the topographic structure displayed by brain mapping techniques, and the results compared with earlier studies which used the same design and drugs, and there was an increase of both slow and fast beta.
Abstract: In a double-blind fourfold crossover design, 11 subjects were randomly assigned to placebo, 10 mg diazepam, 75 mg amitriptyline, and 75 mg chlorpromazine. During a simple vigilance task, 12 midline and left hemisphere leads were recorded before and 3 h after drug administration. The EEG was quantified by spectrum analysis, the topographic structure displayed by brain mapping techniques, and the results compared with earlier studies which used the same design and drugs. Diazepam showed the expected increase in beta; however, fast beta was increased as much as slow beta. Amitriptyline showed an increase of slow wave power and a reduction of alpha. In contrast to earlier studies, a decrease of fast beta was found. In addition, the spatial pattern of alpha changed from an occipital to a parietal maximum. Chlorpromazine showed an increase in the theta band. In occipital regions, there was a small decrease of fast beta; however, centrally there was an increase of both slow and fast beta. These results were confirmed by a multivariate analysis of variance.

46 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the number of chronic diseases was the strongest predictor of benzodiazepine intake in men, whereas stress and age determined intake in women, and drug use in both sexes increased with age.
Abstract: Psychotropic drug intake by a random sample of citizens of the city of Munich aged 30–69 years has been assessed. A 1-week prevalence of 9.3% for all psychotropic drug users was found, benzodiazepines accounting for approximately two-thirds (6.6%) of the users. Two-thirds of drug users were women. Drug use in both sexes increased with age. The doses of benzodiazepines prescribed in most cases were less than 10 mg diazepam equivalent per day. Intake of benzodiazepines in combination with analgesics or alcohol (⩾40 g/day) did not appear to represent a major problem. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the number of chronic diseases was the strongest predictor of benzodiazepine intake in men, whereas stress and age determined intake in women. Long-term use seemed to be relatively rare at 11% of all benzodiazepine users, so it was not considered to be a severe public health problem.

39 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In 1983–1984, 9.8 million prescriptions were written for the 12 most common psychotropic drugs that are available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and analysis shows that, of these prescriptions, 59% were for the four most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine agents.
Abstract: In 1983-1984, 9.8 million prescriptions were written for the 12 most common psychotropic drugs that are available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Our analysis shows that, of these prescriptions, 59% (374 per 1000 persons) were for the four most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine agents; 34% (216 per 1000 persons) were for the five main antidepressant agents; and 7% (41 per 1000 persons) were for the three main phenothiazine agents. In the period from 1977-1978 to 1983-1984, prescription volumes were relatively stable for antidepressant and phenothiazine drugs. Fluctuations in the prescribing of individual benzodiazepine agents are discussed. Older patients and women of all ages receive the majority of the psychotropic drug prescriptions that are written by Australian general practitioners.

33 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the LD sample, pharmacotherapy was associated with higher ratings of behavioral deviance, longer placement in special education, less social integration, and greater peer rejection, which suggests that symptom severity is an important determiner of pharmacotherapy in this population.
Abstract: Psychotropic drug treatment in learning-disabled (LD), educable mentally retarded (EMR), and seriously emotionally disturbed (ED) children and adolescents receiving public school special education services was examined. The findings indicated that while treatment prevalence rates for EMR and ED groups were comparable, the rate for LD students was much lower. In the LD sample, pharmacotherapy was associated with higher ratings of behavioral deviance, longer placement in special education, less social integration, and greater peer rejection, which suggests that symptom severity is an important determiner of pharmacotherapy in this population.

31 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: Findings indicate that minaprine warrants further study for possible clinical prescription and that changes in the hippocampal neurons were exacerbated with time.
Abstract: The effect of the psychotropic drug minaprine on brain ischemia induced by a 5-min bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries in the mongolian gerbil was studied. Severe impairment of memory was apparent when the passive avoidance test was carried out 2 days after the bilaterally induced ischemia. When minaprine in a dose of 50 mg/kg was given p.o. 30 min before the 5-min occlusion, there was a significant improvement in the memory impairment. The amplitude of the hippocampal theta waves decreased and Nissl's degradation was apparent in the CA1 neurons in the hippocampus from 2 days after the 5-min occlusion. Changes in the hippocampal neurons were exacerbated with time. When minaprine in a dose of 50 mg/kg was given there was no decrease in the amplitude of hippocampal theta waves, and Nissl's degradation and the destruction and disappearance of the CA1 neurons diminished considerably. All these findings indicate that minaprine warrants further study for possible clinical prescription.

30 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In a prospective study of 25 patients from the time of hospitalization, seven patients had recently discontinued psychotropic agents (including antidepressants, neuroleptics, and benzodiazepines) and all seven had positive dexamethasone suppression test results after 1 week ofospitalization.
Abstract: In a prospective study of 25 patients from the time of hospitalization, seven had recently discontinued psychotropic agents (including antidepressants, neuroleptics, and benzodiazepines). All seven had positive dexamethasone suppression test results after 1 week of hospitalization. This phenomenon did not occur in any of the other subjects who had not discontinued such medications. Some of the subjects with postdexamethasone cortisol increases reported drug discontinuation in the drug histories they gave at admission, but in three, drug screening provided the only evidence of prior drug use. Medication withdrawal may be an underappreciated confounding variable in DST studies.

28 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Almost all patients surveyed received one or more psychotropic drugs, and there was evidence of a substantial level of polypharmacy, while the relationship between drug prescription and psychiatric diagnosis differed between the two services.
Abstract: The utilization of psychotropic drugs is a topic of increasing interest. This paper describes a study of psychotropic drug use in two acute psychiatric in-patient services in Cremona, northern Italy. Almost all patients surveyed received one or more psychotropic drugs, and there was evidence of a substantial level of polypharmacy. Women patients were prescribed more psychotropic drugs than the men, while the relationship between drug prescription and psychiatric diagnosis differed between the two services. During the second phase of the study, the medical staff were aware that their prescribing was being monitored. However, this knowledge appeared to have little effect on their patterns of prescribing. The findings of Barton (1978) are thus not supported.

23 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: It is postulated that SR 95191 is a selective and reversible type A MAOI of medium potency, which may be of therapeutic benefit in depressed patients and did not affect monoamine uptake either in vitro or in vivo.
Abstract: SR 95191 [3-(2-morpholino-ethyl-amino)-4-cyano-6-phenylpyridazine] is a novel psychotropic drug which possesses the pharmacological properties of a selective, reversible type A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The MAOI activity of SR 95191 was examined in the rat brain, liver and duodenum and compared to that of clorgyline, harmaline, l-deprenyl, moclobemide and cimoxatone. In vitro, SR 95191 selectively inhibited MAO-A and was less potent than cimoxatone, clorgyline and harmaline, but was more potent than moclobemide. Ex vivo, SR 95191 also preferentially inhibited MAO-A in the brain and was 6 and 13 times less potent than cimoxatone and moclobemide, respectively. Like all MAO-A inhibitors, SR 95191 in vivo caused a dose-dependent increase in striatal 3-methoxytyramine, dopamine, serotonin and in hypothalamic norepinephrine contents. A concomitant decrease in deaminated metabolites was observed. SR 95191 inhibited peripheral MAO activity in liver and duodenum. In brain, liver and duodenum, MAO inhibition induced by SR 95191 was short-lasting. Repeated dosing for 14 days did not enhance MAO-A inhibition. Like all reversible MAOIs, SR 95191 antagonized the long-lasting MAO-A inhibition induced by clorgyline. Finally, SR 95191 did not affect monoamine uptake either in vitro or in vivo and did not interact in vitro with a variety of neurotransmitter or drug receptor sites. Based on these results it is postulated that SR 95191 is a selective and reversible type A MAOI of medium potency, which may be of therapeutic benefit in depressed patients.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The monthly variation in prescription of the three drug classes followed a similar pattern during the two years; the fluctuations were clearly cyclical, more definitely in 1984 than in 1983 where the most relevant feature was the summer trough.
Abstract: A psychotropic drug monitoring study in general practice was carried out in 1983 and 1984 using a computerized drug information system. The prescription data analysed in the study came from 68 general practitioners operating in south Verona and have been collected by 14 community pharmacies located in the same area. Benzodiazepine hypnotics were the most commonly prescribed drugs, followed by antidepressants and neuroleptics both in 1983 and in 1984. The distribution of the general practitioners in terms of low, medium and high prescribers was examined by analysing the rates of prescriptions per registered patient. The rates were obtained for the total number of prescriptions and also for each of the three different classes of psychotropic drug. The proportion of low and high prescribers decreased from 1983 to 1984 (18.3 versus 11.7 and 26.7 versus 16.7 for low and high prescribers respectively); this change was mainly due to the reduction in benzodiazepine prescriptions. No significant correlation was found between the rates of psychotropic drug prescriptions and list size. The monthly variation in prescription of the three drug classes followed a similar pattern during the two years; the fluctuations were clearly cyclical, more definitely in 1984 than in 1983 where the most relevant feature was the summer trough.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Hughes and Hatsukami add significant findings to the authors' knowledge of the syndrome that ensues when smokers stop smoking, and suggest that this is very likely a nicotine withdrawal syndrome.
Abstract: To the Editor.— Hughes and Hatsukami 1 add significant findings to our knowledge of the syndrome that ensues when smokers stop smoking. As they suggest, this is very likely a nicotine withdrawal syndrome. Their analysis of alternative hypotheses, however, ignores an important possibility. If it is assumed that a person using a psychotropic drug for a long time was normal without that drug, then a behavioral disorder when the drug is stopped may well be a classic pharmacologic withdrawal syndrome. In reality, however, the assumption cannot be tested because addicts do not come to our attention before their addiction. An alternative hypothesis is that the long-term drug user is self-medicating a behavioral disorder that antedates the drug exposure. In that case, stopping the drug will expose a previously masked set of symptoms. Here we would not be dealing with a classic withdrawal syndrome at all. Either mechanism would produce all

Book ChapterDOI
H. Yoshimura1
01 Jan 1987
TL;DR: Experimental animals may be used to investigate the psychopathology of a behavioural disorder, if one realizes the significance and limitations of the findings.
Abstract: Numerous research papers have followed the introduction of the concept of the “animal model” into psychiatric medicine. Experimental animals may be used to investigate the psychopathology of a behavioural disorder, if one realizes the significance and limitations of the findings. This principle holds true for research on aggression.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Significant negative correlations were observed in the obsessive-compulsive patients and in the combined patient groups between baseline SPEM impairment and changes in eye-tracking accuracy following amphetamine, i.e. individuals with poorer SPEM accuracy improved while better SPEM performers deteriorated in tracking accuracy during amphetamine treatment.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Greater age, male sex, status, and higher qualifications tended to covary and were associated with perception of greater involvement by senior nurses in drug-related decisions, more satisfaction with the level of in-service training, awareness of certain side effects, perception of interdisciplinary decision making as a clinical reality, and the view that psychologists were notinfluential in medication- related decisions.
Abstract: A total of 227 nurses were surveyed regarding their attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge about the use of psychotropic drugs. In general, greater age, male sex, status, and higher qualifications tended to covary and were associated with perception of greater involvement by senior nurses in drug-related decisions, more satisfaction with the level of in-service training, awareness of certain side effects, perception of interdisciplinary decision making as a clinical reality, and the view that psychologists were notinfluential in medication-related decisions. Those without these characteristics (e.g., females, younger nurses) more often advocated greater use of medical and laboratory tests, ongoing training, and alternatives to drugs. Nurses working in nonambulatory units more often saw senior nursing staff as influential in decisions to stop drug treatment and more often recommended that alternatives to pharmacology be employed. Some tentative conclusions about the dynamics surrounding medication use in these facilities were offered to account for these patterns.

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1987
TL;DR: In discussions about the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, immunopathological processes have been noted among the possible initial or triggering steps of this disease.
Abstract: In discussions about the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, immunopathological processes have been noted among the possible initial or triggering steps of this disease.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is argued that the statistically significantly lower prevalence rate for benzodiazepine use found in the LBS, compared with the findings of the MBS I, suggests a real decline over time and cannot be merely explained by possible regional differences in prescription behavior.
Abstract: Psychotropic drug intake was assessed in participants aged 30-69 years of two identically designed studies (cross-sectional studies based on random samples), the Munich Blood Pressure Study (MBS I 1980/81) and the Luebeck Blood Pressure Study (LBS 1984). A similar increase of drug intake with age and a preponderance of women among drug users were found in both study samples. On the basis of the total drug consumption, which was not substantially different in the two population samples, it is argued that the statistically significantly lower prevalence rate for benzodiazepine use found in the LBS, compared with the findings of the MBS I, suggests a real decline over time and cannot be merely explained by possible regional differences in prescription behavior. This finding is of importance within the context of the ongoing discussion on increasing dependence on benzodiazepine drugs.

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: When a new psychotropic drug is introduced on the market with claims that it acts more specifically than the previous ones this has to be proven - not just in in vitro receptor binding systems and animal experiments - but also in patients.
Abstract: When a new psychotropic drug is introduced on the market with claims that it acts more specifically than the previous ones this has to be proven - not just in in vitro receptor binding systems and animal experiments - but also in patients. That can only be done by properly designed clinical studies.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The analysis of time pattern revealed that the prescription of neuroleptics was favoured on all census days, while prescribing for antiparkinsonian and lithium drugs increased also over time, but not for sedatives.
Abstract: Psychotropic drug surveys serve to provide retrospective control of actual treatment conditions in psychiatric hospitals. Data of overall drug consumptions and those indicating the time pattern of medication were recorded at 7 census days for 1,415 inpatients of the psychiatric hospital of the Free University of Berlin. Drug-treated patients with 3.15 different psychotropic drugs on average during their stay. Neuroleptics were the most chosen compound group with regard to all patients treated (62.2%), the number of prescriptions (48.3%) and the sum of psychotropic days (57.9%). Sedatives (i.e. benzodiazepines and chloralhydrate) were given to more patients than antidepressants (41.0% vs. 29.3%), but accounted for only 5.7% of all psychotropic drug days (21.4% in case of antidepressants). The analysis of time pattern revealed that the prescription of neuroleptics was favoured on all census days, while prescribing for antiparkinsonian and lithium drugs increased also over time, but not for sedatives. Mean daily doses of most neuroleptics peaked near the 10th day after the patients' admission, while those of antidepressants increased steadily until the patients were discharged. Monotherapy was found in 59.0%, drug combinations in 41.0% of prescriptions (on all census days). The proportion of drug combinations in relation to monotherapy increased the longer the patients were in hospital. Among all drug combinations, two drugs had been combined in 79.2%, three or more in 20.8%. Two or more neuroleptics given simultaneously were involved in 44.9% of all combinations--an unexpected finding calling for more systematic investigation.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Although clorimipramine, the most actively investigated agent, shows some promise, it has not been conclusively demonstrated that other, more readily available heterocyclic agents are less effective.
Abstract: Nearly every category of psychotropic drug has been investigated in an attempt to find a pharmacologic treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This study reviews published trials from the English literature in which tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, neuroleptics, benzodiazepines, and other agents were employed for treatment of OCD. Weaknesses in the current methodology including diagnosis, measurement of severity and criteria for improvement have contributed to invalid conclusions about drug treatment and efficacy. It appears that OCD is an etiologically heterogeneous disorder with a complex differential diagnosis. For the clinician, a major conclusion drawn from this review is that no agent emerges as a drug of choice. Although clorimipramine, the most actively investigated agent, shows some promise, it has not been conclusively demonstrated that other, more readily available heterocyclic agents are less effective. Furthermore, when other disorders co-exist, such as panic disorder, alternative agents may prove as effective.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The characteristics of maternal and fetal physiology that influence drug risks are outlined and the specific risks and benefits associated with antipsychotics, antidepressants, and lithium are reviewed.
Abstract: Pregnancy can be complicated by affective or psychotic illnesses severe enough to threaten the health and life of both mother and fetus. In many cases, nonbiological interventions like psychotherapy or hospitalization in a supportive milieu will be insufficient, and use of a psychotropic drug will be indicated. This paper outlines the characteristics of maternal and fetal physiology that influence drug risks and then reviews the specific risks and benefits associated with antipsychotics, antidepressants, and lithium.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Many patients for whom benzodiazepines are prescribed take them irregularly, and a small group uses them without reporting their prescription, which has implications for the clinical presentation of illness and for the possibility of drug interactions.
Abstract: Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed, and in 1979 almost 10% of the adult population was taking them. Prior studies of outpatient usage of benzodiazepines have relied on survey or prescription data, which may be confounded by noncompliance. To determine the actual use of benzodiazepines, plasma benzodiazepine concentrations were measured in 225 consecutive outpatients from a university cardiology outpatient service. Self reports indicated that the great majority of the patients (191) were taking at least one medicine, and 70 reported being on a psychotropic drug. Seventy-seven patients reported taking benzodiazepines, the majority being on bromazepam (20), diazepam (26) or oxazepam (19). In 25 of those 77 patients, the reported drug could not be detected in plasma. Conversely, in 10 of the 225 patients, benzodiazepines which were not reported were detected (diazepam or flurazepam). Of those taking benzodiazepines, many had a low concentration, suggesting intermittent rather than regular use. Thus, many patients for whom benzodiazepines are prescribed take them irregularly, and a small group uses them without reporting their prescription. These findings have implications for the clinical presentation of illness and for the possibility of drug interactions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the tricyclic psychotropic drug opipramol with an excess of HNO2 affords a product mixture mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium.
Abstract: Reaction of the tricyclic psychotropic drug opipramol (1) with an excess of HNO2 affords a product mixture mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium. The main product is a tetracyclic furoxan 2 (yield ca. 80%), resulting from nitrosation at C(10) and C(11) of 1. Compound 2 is not mutagenic. The essential mutagen is a nitroarene 3 formed via contraction of the central ring of 1, and nitrosation at C(2). Its yield is extremely low (<0.1%). Nitroarenes have previously not been encountered as mutagenic products of the interaction of drugs with nitrite.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the validity of analytical results in psychotropic drug assays is dependent upon the proper method of specimen collecting and storage, including the proper collection tubes, anticoagulants and storage conditions necessary for the elimination of errors that may be introduced during sample handling.
Abstract: The validity of analytical results in psychotropic drug assays is dependent upon, among other things, the proper method of specimen collecting and storage. This review cites the many problems associated with this aspect of analytical methodology including the proper collection tubes, anticoagulants and storage conditions necessary for the elimination of errors that may be introduced during sample handling. Specific examples are cited for the tricyclic antidepressant, antipsychotic, and some new antidepressant agents.

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1987
TL;DR: In this chapter the focus is on psychotropic drug utilization which was assessed by various epidemiological strategies in the FRG and Berlin (West).
Abstract: Psychotropic drugs represent a considerable share of the international drug market; in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) they accounted for about 10% of the total prescription costs in 1981 (Fiedler 1983). For detailed epidemiological information drug utilization studies are being performed increasingly frequently in several countries (Ducrot et al. 1978; Bergman et al. 1979; Alloza 1985). They provide an empirical basis for drug control by identifying drugs that may be over- or underprescribed, misused, or hazardous. Drug utilization studies are indispensable for the assessment of efficacy, safety, and economy of drug therapy. In this chapter the focus is on psychotropic drug utilization which was assessed by various epidemiological strategies in the FRG and Berlin (West). Some of the data presented refer to a national survey on drug prescriptions compiled by the Scientific Institute of the National Health Insurance Agencies (WIdO) and have been updated every year since 1981 (Schwabe 1981). Detailed information on psychotropic drug consumption in a general city population was obtained recently by a cross-sectional study performed in Munich (Konig et al., to be published). Another prevalence study on psychotropic drug use refers to psychiatric outpatients treated in private practice in Berlin (Linden and Schussler 1981). Further information on drug-prescribing patterns is provided by the AMUP system (Arzneimitteluberwachung in der Psychiatrie, drug surveillance in psychiatry) which is a multicenter drug surveillance project run by the departments of psychiatry of the Universities of Berlin, Gottingen, and Munich, and is supported by the Federal Health Office (Ruther et al. 1980).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: While the formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds from the interaction of nitrogen-containing compounds with nitrite is well known, the present study demonstrates theformation of a highly mutagenic C- Nitro compound in the presence of nitrite.
Abstract: The tricyclic psychotropic drug opipramol (Insidon) reacts in vitro with sodium nitrite in acidic solution to form products including mutagens for Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. Two aspects are particularly noteworthy. The strong mutagenicity of the crude reaction mixture is almost exclusively due to a compound which is present only in trace quantities (less than 0.1%). This mutagen was identified as a nitroarene, 4-[3-(2-nitro-9-(10H)-acridinon-10-yl)propyl]-1-piperazine-ethanol . Hence, while the formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds from the interaction of nitrogen-containing compounds with nitrite is well known, the present study demonstrates the formation of a highly mutagenic C-nitro compound in the presence of nitrite.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The purpose of this research was to draw comparisons to drug use among clients of medical, mental health, and social services in the same jurisdiction and showed considerably higher percentages of users for all drug categories among agency clientele.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to study the epidemiology of psycho-tropic drug use among the general population and to draw comparisons to drug use among clients of medical, mental health, and social services in the same jurisdiction. Results showed considerably higher percentages of users for all drug categories among agency clientele. Age and sex differences in drug use replicated previous research in the general population but were noticeably absent among the clients of local services. Notably, the proportion of long-term daily users of minor tranquilizers in the agency population was about three times that of the general population. However, tranquilizer users in the two populations were similar in many respects. Results of the study are discussed in terms of the need for screening for persons with psychotropic drug problems in health and social services.