Psychotropic drug

About: Psychotropic drug is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2309 publications have been published within this topic receiving 54070 citations.

Psychotropic-drug prescribing for women.

Abstract: The reasons for women in Europe and North America being prescribed over twice as many psychotropic drugs as men are complex. Psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety appear to be more common in women than in men, and women more commonly complain of psychological symptoms. There may be a gender bias in medical diagnosis and choice of medication. Sociological factors may also be involved, including the likelihood that women have fewer outlets than men for symptom control by activities outside the home (e.g. the social use of alcohol). Women also have special problems including pregnancy, lactation, child rearing and pre-menstrual tension. Probably, much use of psychotropic-drug use for women (and men) is inappropriate and not closely related to the symptoms or conditions for which they are prescribed. Furthermore, the chronic use of some psychotropic drugs, especially benzodiazepines, may compound the problem by inducing dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

The global diversion of pharmaceutical drugs non-medical use and diversion of psychotropic prescription drugs in North America: a review of sourcing routes and control measures.

Abstract: Aims North America features some of the world's highest consumption levels for controlled psychoactive prescription drugs (PPDs; e.g. prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants), with non-medical use and related harms (e.g. morbidity, mortality) rising in key populations in recent years. While the determinants, characteristics and impacts of these ‘use’ problems are increasingly well documented, little is known about the ‘supply’ side of non-medical PPD use, much of which is facilitated by ‘diversion’ as a key sourcing route. This paper provides a select review of the phenomenon of PPD diversion in North America, also considering interventions and policy implications. Methods A conceptual and empirical review of select-peer- and non-peer-reviewed research literature from 1991 to 2010 focusing upon PPD diversion in North America was conducted. Results The phenomenon of PPD diversion is heterogeneous. Especially among general populations, a large proportion of PPDs for non-medical use are obtained from friends or family members. Other PPD diversion routes involve ‘double doctoring’ or ‘prescription shopping’; street drug markets; drug thefts, prescription forgeries or fraud; as well as PPD purchases from the internet. Conclusions The distinct nature and heterogeneity make PPD diversion a complex and difficult target for interventions. Prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) appear to reduce overall PPD use, yet their impact on reducing diversion or non-medical use is not clear. Law enforcement is unlikely to reach PPD diversion effectively. Effective reduction will probably require reductions in overall PPD consumption volumes, although such will need to be accomplished without compromising standards of good medical (e.g. pain) care.

Family roles, structure, and stressors in relation to sex differences in obtaining psychotropic drugs.

Abstract: Although it is well-documented that women are more likely than men to use prescribed psychotropic drugs, there are conflicting explanations of this pattern. The purpose of this paper is to examine this sex difference in relation to three theoretical perspectives: (1) the sex-role theory, (2) social support theory, and (3) stress theory. Data from the National Medical Care Expenditure Survey confirm that women were more likely than men to obtain a psychotropic drug. The data also showed that for both men and women, the likelihood of obtaining a psychotropic drug is influenced by family role responsibilities, family structure, and stressful events. However, women had a significantly higher likelihood of use than men under similar family circumstances. When sociodemographic and health-statuslaccess-to-care variables were controlled, the association for men between family circumstances and obtaining a psychotropic drug disappeared. For women, however, certain family role responsibilities, structures, and stressful events significantly affected the likelihood of obtaining a psychotropic drug even when sociodemographic and health-statuslaccess-to-care variables were controlled.

Pseudodementia in the elderly: Differential diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: Buspirone is a novel psychotropic drug with clear anxiolytic activity in man. There are a number of neurochemical differences between buspirone and both neuroleptics and benzodiazepines. Moreover, buspirone is extensively metabolized, and several metabolites are present in the brain together with the parent compound. One of these, 1-PP, is present in the brain at higher concentrations than the parent drug, particularly when the drug is given orally. On the basis of the reported experimental data, it can be postulated that buspirone's anticonflict activity in rats may be mediated, at least partially, through 1-PP, without involving any effect on the dopaminergic system. The possibility that buspirone and 1-PP may mimic the action of benzodiazepine on some sites in the complex benzodiazepine-GABA receptors is discussed.