Antidepressants get to work immediately to lift mood, contrary to current belief, UK researchers say.
Although patients may not notice the effects until months into the therapy, the team say they work subconsciously.
The action is rapid, beginning within hours of taking the drugs, and changes negative thoughts, according to the Oxford University researchers.
These subtle, positive cues may add up over time to lift the depression, the American Journal of Psychiatry reports.
It may also explain why talking therapies designed to break negative thought cycles can also help.
Psychiatrist Dr Catherine Harmer and her team at Oxford University closely studied the reactions of 33 depressed patients and 31 healthy controls given either an antidepressant or a dummy drug.
The depressed patients who took the active drug showed positive improvements in three specific measures within three hours of taking them.
These patients were more likely to think about themselves in a positive light, rather than dwelling on their bad points, the researchers said.
They were also more likely to see the positive in others. For example, if they saw a grumpy person they no longer internalised this to think that they must have done something wrong to upset the person.
READ MORE @ BBC NEWS
Showing posts with label antidepressant efficacy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antidepressant efficacy. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Results of phase III study on Labopharm's novel antidepressant published in Psychiatry (Edgemont) Journal
Labopharm Inc. (TSX: DDS; NASDAQ: DDSS) today announced the publication of Extended Release Trazodone in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in the May 2009 issue of the journal Psychiatry (Edgemont) (Volume 6, Number 5) (www.psychiatrymmc.com). The results of this Phase III clinical trial (study 04ACL3-001), which were originally reported by the Company in February 2008, demonstrate clear benefits for Labopharm's novel antidepressant.
More than 120 million people around the world suffer from depression. Treatment is often challenging because response to antidepressant drug therapy can vary significantly. Clinically depressed patients are typically treated with two different types of drug therapy: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)). However, some 40 to 50% of patients being treated for depression stop taking these antidepressant drugs within the first 12 months of treatment. Frequently cited reasons for discontinuing therapy include suboptimal efficacy on depression symptoms, exacerbation of sleep disturbance, increased agitation, slow onset of action, sexual dysfunction and weight gain.
Labopharm's novel formulation of the antidepressant trazodone is designed to optimize the efficacy of trazodone, and address the major challenges in treating depression.
Summary of Results of Labopharm's Phase III Clinical Trial on Trazodone
READ MORE @ PR NEWSWEIRE
More than 120 million people around the world suffer from depression. Treatment is often challenging because response to antidepressant drug therapy can vary significantly. Clinically depressed patients are typically treated with two different types of drug therapy: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)). However, some 40 to 50% of patients being treated for depression stop taking these antidepressant drugs within the first 12 months of treatment. Frequently cited reasons for discontinuing therapy include suboptimal efficacy on depression symptoms, exacerbation of sleep disturbance, increased agitation, slow onset of action, sexual dysfunction and weight gain.
Labopharm's novel formulation of the antidepressant trazodone is designed to optimize the efficacy of trazodone, and address the major challenges in treating depression.
Summary of Results of Labopharm's Phase III Clinical Trial on Trazodone
READ MORE @ PR NEWSWEIRE
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