Chris Sampson reviews a recent US study which looks at the cost-effectiveness of CBT versus second-generation antidepressants for the initial treatment of major depressive disorder.
[read the full story...]Are antidepressants safe? A new umbrella review of observational studies suggests they are, but we need more accurate data
Andrea Cipriani and Anneka Tomlinson scrutinise a brand new umbrella review of the associations between antidepressants and adverse health outcomes, which suggests that antidepressants are safe for most people who experience mental health difficulties.
[read the full story...]In adults with major depression, antidepressants may increase the risk of suicide
Douglas Badenoch explores a meta-analysis of follow-up data from clinical trials of antidepressants, which found a small but significant increase in suicide risk.
[read the full story...]Intranasal esketamine for treatment-resistant depression: the first clinical study
Jodi Rintelman writes her debut elf blog on the first randomised controlled trial on the efficacy and safety of intranasal esketamine as an adjunctive treatment to antidepressants for treatment-resistant depression.
[read the full story...]Medication for generalised anxiety disorder: new network meta-analysis
A group of UCL Masters Students summarise a recent network meta-analysis of drug treatment for generalised anxiety disorder, which finds that Venlafaxine, Pregabalin, Escitalopram and Duloxetine are all viable alternatives to Benzodiazepines.
[read the full story...]Prescribing lithium for bipolar disorder: are we too scared?
Deenan Edward and Suhana Ahmed summarise a Scottish study of prescribing for bipolar disorder between 2009-2016, which identified a clear trend towards decreasing lithium use.
[read the full story...]Higher doses of antidepressants “not optimal”, according to new review
Jonathon Tomlinson considers his options as a GP supporting people with depression and complex needs, after reading a new systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis, which suggests that higher doses of antidepressants bring maximum side effects with only marginal gains.
[read the full story...]Antidepressants and weight gain: long-term population impact #SUSANAsurvey
Andrea Cipriani and Anneka Tomlinson summarise a 10-year cohort study of antidepressant use and incidence of weight gain.
They also launch their new SUSANA project: Survey for Understanding Side effects of ANtidepressants in Adults. Please take the SUSANA survey now!
[read the full story...]Antidepressant withdrawal: slower and lower tapering of SSRIs
A group of UCL Masters Students summarise a recent personal view by Mark Horowitz and David Taylor about tapering of SSRI treatment to mitigate antidepressant withdrawal symptoms.
[read the full story...]Genetics of depression: understanding risk and improving treatment
Douglas Levinson on a genome-wide meta-analysis of depression in 807,553 individuals, which identifies 102 independent variants relating to the genetics of depression.
[read the full story...]