An analysis of studies on antipsychotics reveals multiple differences among the newer, second-generation antipsychotics as well as the older medications, and suggests the current classification system blurs important differences, rendering it unhelpful. The analysis, partially funded by NIMH, was published online December 5, 2008, in The Lancet.
An analysis of studies on antipsychotics reveals multiple differences among the newer, second-generation antipsychotics as well as the older medications, and suggests the current classification system blurs important differences, rendering it unhelpful. The analysis, partially funded by NIMH, was published online December 5, 2008, in The Lancet.
Stefan Leucht, M.D., of Technische Universität München in Munich, Germany, and colleagues looked at 150 studies from all parts of the world with a total of 21,533 participants. By examining these double-blind studies, they were able to compare nine second-generation—also called atypical—antipsychotics with first-generation antipsychotics. They examined symptom reduction; quality of life; side effects such as movement disorders, weight gain and sedation ( sleepiness ); and other factors.
READ MORE @ MEDIA NEWSWIRE
Showing posts with label first-generation antipsychotics (FGA). Show all posts
Showing posts with label first-generation antipsychotics (FGA). Show all posts
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
No Reason to Prefer Atypical Antipsychotics over Older Drugs
The common distinction between first- and second-generation antipsychotic drugs has no scientific basis and should be dropped, said researchers here.
A meta-analysis of 150 double-blind studies found little evidence that newer, so-called atypical antipsychotic drugs are more effective than older drugs for symptoms of schizophrenia, reported Stefan Leucht, M.D., of Munich Technical University, and colleagues online in The Lancet.
The researchers also found that although newer drugs induced fewer extrapyramidal effects than haloperidol (Haldol) that was not the case when compared with low-potency first-generation agents.
"Second-generation antipsychotic drugs differ in many properties" -- including structure and mode of action as well as clinical effects -- "and are not a homogeneous class," the researchers concluded.
"Improper generalization creates confusion and, as a result, the classification [of first- versus second-generation agents] might be abandoned," they said.
READ MORE @ MEDPAGE TODAY
A meta-analysis of 150 double-blind studies found little evidence that newer, so-called atypical antipsychotic drugs are more effective than older drugs for symptoms of schizophrenia, reported Stefan Leucht, M.D., of Munich Technical University, and colleagues online in The Lancet.
The researchers also found that although newer drugs induced fewer extrapyramidal effects than haloperidol (Haldol) that was not the case when compared with low-potency first-generation agents.
"Second-generation antipsychotic drugs differ in many properties" -- including structure and mode of action as well as clinical effects -- "and are not a homogeneous class," the researchers concluded.
"Improper generalization creates confusion and, as a result, the classification [of first- versus second-generation agents] might be abandoned," they said.
READ MORE @ MEDPAGE TODAY
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Experts Analyze Real Meaning of CATIE Study Findings
Despite the finding that SGAs are on average only marginally more efficacious than an FGA, perphenazine, most experts emphasize that what is true for "the average" patient may be not be best for the individual patient.
Science without the industry spin. That's the idea behind a series of nine papers appearing as a special section in the May issue of the APA journal Psychiatric Services looking at the results of the landmark Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention effectiveness (CATIE).
Prior to the appearance of the first CATIE study results in the New England Journal of Medicine (September 22, 2005), the superiority of second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) over first-generation antipsychotics (FGA) was widely considered a given. Though the trial pitted a proxy FGA, perphenizine, against five SGAs, the primary question for many was which SGA was most efficacious.
So when results showed that, with the exception of clozapine, SGAs had only marginal superiority over perphenazine, the response from quarters with vested interests was not tepid; the pharmaceutical industry was loudest in attacking CATIE on methodological grounds.
READ MORE @ PSYCHIATRIC NEWS
Science without the industry spin. That's the idea behind a series of nine papers appearing as a special section in the May issue of the APA journal Psychiatric Services looking at the results of the landmark Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention effectiveness (CATIE).
Prior to the appearance of the first CATIE study results in the New England Journal of Medicine (September 22, 2005), the superiority of second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) over first-generation antipsychotics (FGA) was widely considered a given. Though the trial pitted a proxy FGA, perphenizine, against five SGAs, the primary question for many was which SGA was most efficacious.
So when results showed that, with the exception of clozapine, SGAs had only marginal superiority over perphenazine, the response from quarters with vested interests was not tepid; the pharmaceutical industry was loudest in attacking CATIE on methodological grounds.
READ MORE @ PSYCHIATRIC NEWS
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