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A Call for Caution on Antipsychotic Drugs
NY Times ^ | September 24, 2012 | RICHARD A. FRIEDMAN, M.D.

Posted on 09/24/2012 10:12:40 PM PDT by neverdem

You will never guess what the fifth and sixth best-selling prescription drugs are in the United States, so I’ll just tell you: Abilify and Seroquel, two powerful antipsychotics. In 2011 alone, they and other antipsychotic drugs were prescribed to 3.1 million Americans at a cost of $18.2 billion, a 13 percent increase over the previous year, according to the market research firm IMS Health.

Those drugs are used to treat such serious psychiatric disorders as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe major depression. But the rates of these disorders have been stable in the adult population for years. So how did these and other antipsychotics get to be so popular?

Antipsychotic drugs have been around for a long time, but until recently they were not widely used. Thorazine, the first real antipsychotic, was synthesized in the 1950s; not just sedating, it also targeted the core symptoms of schizophrenia,...

--snip--

Of course, physicians frequently use medications off label, and there is sometimes solid empirical evidence to support this practice. But presently there is little evidence that atypical antipsychotic drugs are effective outside of a small number of serious psychiatric disorders, namely schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and treatment-resistant depression.

Let’s be clear: The new atypical antipsychotic drugs are effective and safe. But even if these drugs prove effective for a variety of new psychiatric illnesses, there is still good reason for caution. Because they have potentially serious adverse effects, atypical antipsychotic drugs should be used when currently available treatments — with typically fewer side effects and lower costs — have failed.

Atypical antipsychotics can be lifesaving for people who have schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression. But patients should think twice — and then some — before using these drugs to deal with the low-grade unhappiness, anxiety and insomnia that comes with modern life.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News
KEYWORDS: abilify; antipsychoticdrugs; antipsychotics; bipolardisorder; depression; schizophrenia; seroquel
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To: neverdem

Seems the use of these drugs has increased significantly since President Obama took to the White House. Any link, per chance?


21 posted on 09/25/2012 3:27:20 AM PDT by BobL (You can live each day only once. You can waste a few, but don't waste too many.)
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To: miss marmelstein
Drove through there over the summer. Looks like they're rehabbing the downtown, although a side trip past this place was telling of how/why the problems there persist:


22 posted on 09/25/2012 3:29:32 AM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
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To: almcbean

Hey, Springsteen - how about spending some of your gazillions helping Asbury Park?

Asbury Park has a long tradition of rock music - they still hold festivals there, the Stone Pony is still open (I think?), and there was a place called the Saint that was a mecca for new music. I saw U2 at the Fast Lane, playing to about 400 people way back when.


23 posted on 09/25/2012 3:35:31 AM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
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To: P.O.E.

The school system is in shambles - as it is all over the country. The west side (of Asbury where the black population lives) is in shambles. The east side has really come back - especially third street where the gay guys took over. The downtown has been rehabbed for years as has the waterfront.


24 posted on 09/25/2012 4:19:11 AM PDT by miss marmelstein
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To: P.O.E.

You’ve got to update your info on Asbury, OK?

Springsteen gives hundreds of thousands of dollars (secretly) to Asbury. I know because I was part of a museum there that got a Springsteen “grant.” Despite his politics and music which I personally can’t stand, he’s very generous towards Asbury and other shore towns. Sheesh.


25 posted on 09/25/2012 4:21:49 AM PDT by miss marmelstein
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To: neverdem
Let’s be clear: The new atypical antipsychotic drugs are effective and safe. [...] ... they have potentially serious adverse effects ...

So, which is it? "Safe," or seriously adverse?

26 posted on 09/25/2012 4:30:19 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("In the kingdom of the blind, sight is a crime and mentioning what you see is a gaffe.")
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To: P.O.E.
Just another urban wasteland.

No wonder the city folks in Hollywood keep cranking out apocalyptic scenario after apocalyptic scenario.

Maybe that's why Star Trek endures...I think it was the last fictional 'future' which was actually upbeat.

27 posted on 09/25/2012 5:06:09 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing)
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To: neverdem

Little irritates me more than the phrase, “Let’s be clear.”


28 posted on 09/25/2012 5:06:22 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: 9YearLurker

Reminds me of bad Bobby J. back in my college days. In heated debates he’d stop and say ‘let me be completely honest with you’ ~ another guy stopped him dead in his tracks once and asked ‘so what were you being with me before that Bobby?!’

I never heard him use that phrase again...


29 posted on 09/25/2012 5:22:09 AM PDT by BrandtMichaels
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To: BrandtMichaels

Ha ha.


30 posted on 09/25/2012 5:43:34 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: Tax-chick

What if the medication worked for 99.9% of the people who took it, and that without any side effects at all, but caused serious adverse effects for the other .1%. How would you describe such a medication?


31 posted on 09/25/2012 6:29:52 AM PDT by coloradan (The US has become a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
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To: coloradan
How would you describe such a medication?

"Fictional." Even aspirin has side effects for most users.

32 posted on 09/25/2012 6:34:18 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("In the kingdom of the blind, sight is a crime and mentioning what you see is a gaffe.")
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To: Tax-chick

Then how would you describe aspirin? A few people suffer stomach bleeding, most find it useful to control small aches and pains.


33 posted on 09/25/2012 6:47:58 AM PDT by coloradan (The US has become a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
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To: miss marmelstein

How was I supposed to know he secretly gives money?

Just seems to me with all his liberal bloviating you’d see a Springsteen hospital wing or Youth Center or something.


34 posted on 09/25/2012 7:37:36 AM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
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To: P.O.E.

Well, you have presented yourself as knowledgeable about Asbury and then posted 10 year old photos. I got news for you: my beloved Tillie is long gone.

So I naturally thought you should be up on Springsteen’s contributions to the town. Maybe the word “secret” was incorrect. His donations are anonymous but it’s an open “secret” in AP.


35 posted on 09/25/2012 7:41:45 AM PDT by miss marmelstein
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To: miss marmelstein

I thought they preserved the Tillie section somewhere. If I recall, there’s an imitation one up the boardwalk.

Honestly, I have only driven through Asbury maybe three times in the last 10 years.

My folks used to take us there often during the 60s (they had my all-time favorite walk-through funhouse there).

Saw my very first rock concert (Black Sabbath’s Master of Reality tour, yes I’m old) at Convention Hall, followed by a ton of shows over the years.

Back in the 70s - 80s, my best friend from high school had moved there, so spent a lot of time hanging out. After that, I kind of lost track of the goings on down there.

My kids go to the festivals there, even attended one of the zombie-walks they had a few years ago.

Most of my knowledge is admittedly based on fond memories.


36 posted on 09/25/2012 1:47:39 PM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
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To: P.O.E.

The much maligned Tillie was pushed by the city council into a damp, dark storage space. It has not been seen since. Sort of like Richard III’s little nephews. I’m sure it’s a wreck. This same council allowed the gorgeous Art Nouveau Casino designs to be stolen in broad daylight. Talk about heartbreak...

You are thinking of the Wonder Bar which recreated the Tillie image.

The next time you’re there walk around the east side. It is so beautiful! So well-designed by Mr. Bradley! As I’ve said previously: I do not like what the council has done to the waterfront. They built condos which obstructed the ocean view. But the condos sold and residents like it. All of these owners are middle to upper middle-class. I dislike furniture stores on the boardwalk (!!!) but I’m in the minority.

Anyway, I’m sorry if I jumped on you but I kinda like Asbury. I ran a theatre there and was on the historical society.


37 posted on 09/25/2012 2:14:42 PM PDT by miss marmelstein
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To: miss marmelstein

Back in the 70s my friend was involved in the “Save the Paramount” - he was a projectionist there.

Asbury’s new shopping area reminds me of what they did around Caesar’s in AC. IMHO, AC lost a lot of its charm when the got rid of their old buildings, too.

Wildwood is losing a lot of its wonderfully cheesy motels to condos.

Progress, I suppose, but I miss the old designs.

When we do go to the shore, it’s usually to Spring Lake - they still have those neat design tiles by the pool and concession stand.

Back to Asbury - last time I went, there seemed to be a semi-thriving cafe scene towards the south end. We had just come from dinner, so we didn’t stop. Next time we will.

Nice chatting with you, and keep me posted :)


38 posted on 09/25/2012 4:35:56 PM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
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To: P.O.E.

Yes, I was involved with trying to save the Paramount - and every other building in that town. Sigh...

The only difference between AC and AP is that AP has definitely made inroads within the town. Because so many of the Victorian homes were beautiful and well-designed, a lot of pioneers (young homeowners, annoying gay guys, etc.) moved in. When you are there next, take a walk between Main Street and the boardwalk. The neighborhood - despite some gaps - is seriously coming back and quite lovely. Stop by the Stephen Crane House on Fourth and take a little tour.


39 posted on 09/25/2012 4:52:30 PM PDT by miss marmelstein
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To: miss marmelstein

Added to my next road trip.....


40 posted on 09/25/2012 5:14:04 PM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
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