Topic
Psychotropic drug
About: Psychotropic drug is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2309 publications have been published within this topic receiving 54070 citations.
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TL;DR: This review has attempted to convey the idea that the current concepts of psychotropic drug actions are based largely around the monoamine transmitter systems.
Abstract: It is difficult to discuss the subject of the neuropharmacology of aging when it is well known that we presently have very few agents which can be classified as such. Many psychotropic drugs are used in the elderly, either to treat specific neuropsychiatric disorders, or in an attempt to treat the signs and symptoms associated with the “organic brain syndromes.” In the former cases the therapeutic approach is straightforward provided appropriate precautions and hazards specific to the elderly be recognized (1–3). It is in the latter cases, the “organic brain syndromes,” where pharmacological intervention has met essentially without success, and where the greatest need exists for the development of newer therapeutic agents.
5 citations
TL;DR: The question of harmfulness of the psychiatric drugs creates a major dilemma for pregnant women and the risks associated with prenatal psychotropic drug exposure are often overestimated.
Abstract: Objective: The question of harmfulness of the psychiatric drugs creates a major dilemma for pregnant women. The risks associated with prenatal psychotropic drug exposure are often overestimated. It...
5 citations
TL;DR: The association of psychotropic drug use with fall and syncope in combination with polymedication and older age leads to the suspicion that psychotropic drugs might be potentially harmful in specific risk populations such as older adults.
Abstract: Introduction The prevalence of psychotropic drug use in our society
is increasing especially in older adults, thereby provoking severe adverse
drug reactions (ADR). To identify specific patient risk profiles associated
with psychotropic drug use in the situation of polymedication. Methods Cases of ADRs in general emergency departments (ED) collected
within the multi-center prospective observational study (ADRED) were
analyzed (n=2215). We compared cases with use of psychotropic drugs
and without concerning their clinical presentation at the ED. Results A third of patients (n=731, 33%) presenting
to the ED with an ADR took at least 1 psychotropic drug. Patients with
psychotropic drug use tended to be older, more often female, and took a
higher number of drugs (all p<0.001). The frequency of falls was
almost 3 times higher than compared to the non-psychotropic drug group (10.5
vs. 3.9%, p<0.001), and similar syncope was also more often
seen in the psychotropic drug users (8.8 vs. 5.5%, p=0.004).
The use of psychotropic drugs increased the risk for falls by a factor of
2.82 (OR, 95% CI (1.90–4.18)), when adjusting for gender,
age, numbers of pre-existing diseases, and drugs, respectively. Discussion The association of psychotropic drug use with fall and
syncope in combination with polymedication and older age leads to the
suspicion that psychotropic drugs might be potentially harmful in specific
risk populations such as older adults. It may lead us to thoroughly weigh
the benefit against risk in a patient-oriented way, leading to an
integrative personalized therapy approach.
5 citations
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.
5 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The right to refuse medical treatment has been accepted by the courts, health care personnel and consumers throughout Canada and the United States, yet for some situations, the right to refusal medical treatment remains a matter of serious public debate.
Abstract: The right to refuse medical treatment has been accepted by the courts, health care personnel and consumers throughout Canada and the United States. Yet for some situations, the right to refuse medical treatment remains a matter of serious public debate. One of the most complex of these circumstances occurs when an institutionalized person is to be treated with a psychotropic drug.
5 citations