Biomedical subjects

A Dorevitch

Publications and source records attributed to A Dorevitch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Antipsychotic drugs and tardive dyskinesia: preliminary results in an adolescent psychiatric ward.

The systematic study of antipsychotic-induced movement disorders in young psychiatric patients is very sparse. We assessed the presence of tardive dyskinesia in an adolescent in-patient psychiatric ward. Eighteen per cent (3/17) exhibited either pronounced or subtle signs of tardive dyskinesia. Our study suggests that young psychiatric patients may develop signs of tardive dyskinesia even though they are exposed to relatively short-term neuroleptic treatment and at dosages that are relatively low. We advocate frequent and systematic monitoring of adolescent patients taking antipsychotic drugs in order to minimize the emergence of this long-term, troublesome complication of neuroleptic drugs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[Lithium-associated psoriasis].

A number of medications including clonidine, digoxin and beta-blockers have been reported to cause psoriasis. Lithium has also been implicated especially among women. We describe a 45-year-old man who developed diffuse psoriatic lesions 1 year after treatment with lithium was started. Various topical dermatological preparations failed to alleviate the lesions. Several weeks after discontinuation of lithium the psoriasis resolved. We discuss the possible mechanisms for lithium-associated psoriasis and alert clinicians to the possibility of this troublesome side-effect in lithium-treated patients, with or without a family history of psoriasis.

Humans↗

PubMed1994

A psychopharmacology education program for psychiatry residents--the role of a clinical pharmacist.

The author describes a psychopharmacology education program administered by a psychiatric clinical pharmacist. The program included biweekly lectures and psychopharmacology review rounds for junior psychiatry residents. This teaching program suggests that a psychiatric clinical pharmacist may favorably contribute to the optimum usage of psychotropic drugs, especially in those residency years when prescribing habits are being formed.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Lithium-associated alopecia].

A 39-year-old woman who developed alopecia shortly after treatment with lithium carbonate was initiated is described. The alopecia resolved 2 months after lithium was discontinued. Though this side-effect is relatively rare, we suggest that patients getting lithium for short or long term treatment be monitored for it.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Medication maintenance of chronic schizophrenic out-patients by a psychiatric clinical pharmacist: 10-year follow-up study.

A psychiatric clinical pharmacist, acting as a primary clinician under the supervision of the attending psychiatrist, monitored the medication for 14 chronic schizophrenic out-patients over a 10-year period. Successful treatment resulted in a decreased rate of rehospitalization, shorter length of hospital stay, a decrease in total neuroleptic dosage, significantly fewer medication-related side-effects, and improved compliance as compared to the 10-year period prior to entry into the study. Our study suggests that with the expansion of community health services, expanded roles and the use of a clinical pharmacist may contribute significantly to the medication management of chronic schizophrenic out-patients. However, a parallel group study is required to confirm our results.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Lithium carbonate augmentation in tricyclic antidepressant-resistant depression].

Combinations of lithium carbonate and tricyclic antidepressants are effective in the treatment of resistant unipolar depression. We present a case in which addition of lithium carbonate to a maximal dose of desipramine provided rapid and sustained improvement in a severely depressed 57-year-old woman. She had previously failed to respond to maximum doses of antidepressant drugs of 2 different classes. Although the lithium-tricyclic combination was successful in our case, we caution against its routine use.

Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic↗

PubMed1991

"Goodbye Sunshine": effects of a television program about melanoma on beliefs, behavior, and melanoma thickness.

Of 333 persons interviewed after a television show about the effects of melanoma, 113 (34%) saw the show and 73% believed that the sun protection/skin examination message applied to them. Fifty-six percent of persons examined their own skin and 36% examined someone else's skin after seeing the program. Fifteen persons (4.5% of the total sample) planned to visit a doctor for an abnormal skin spot as a result of the program, of whom three actually did so within 4 weeks of the show. An increase of 167% was observed in the number of melanomas diagnosed in the 3 months after the show, compared with those diagnosed in the same period the year before. There was a significant shift in the proportion of tumors removed in the thin, easily cured stage. The high rate of diagnosis of new tumors and the high proportion of thin tumors was maintained a year after the program. By extrapolation from these figures, it is estimated that 208,000 Victorians out of a total population of 4.1 million intended to seek a consultation after a single television program. Of these, it is estimated that about 27,000 actually sought attention in the month after the viewing.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Propranolol in the treatment of akathisia caused by antipsychotic drugs.

We have reported the case of a patient with neuroleptic-induced akathisia who had rapid amelioration of his symptoms after treatment with the highly lipophilic beta-blocker propranolol. His symptoms had previously failed to respond to traditional pharmacologic treatment. There is clearly a need for more double-blind studies to assess the efficacy of propranolol and other beta-blockers in the treatment of this troublesome side effect of antipsychotic medications.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Mania associated with clonazepam.

Clonazepam is a potent, long-acting benzodiazepine approved for use in myoclonic and petit mal seizures. Initial reports have demonstrated encouraging results with clonazepam in the treatment of acute mania as well as a favorable side-effect profile. A trial of adjunctive clonazepam was initiated in a 41-year-old patient with chronic schizophrenia. Two weeks later, while on an 8-mg dosage, he became manic, developing pressured speech, euphoria, inflated esteem, agitation, and insomnia. Initiation of electroconvulsive therapy with gradual tapering and discontinuation of the clonazepam resulted in amelioration of the manic episode and a return to his previous clinical status. Clinicians should be alerted to the potential of clonazepam to cause manic-like behavior in susceptible patients.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1991

Psychotic exacerbation attributed to low-dose bromocriptine treatment of galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia.

Low-dose bromocriptine administered for antipsychotic drug-induced hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea precipitated an acute psychotic state in a female patient. Discontinuation of the bromocriptine and increase in antipsychotic dosage resulted in complete remission. We advise caution in the use of bromocriptine especially in patients with a pre-existing psychiatric history and recommend monitoring for changes in mental status when bromocriptine is prescribed.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1990

[Bromocriptine-associated postpartum psychotic exacerbation].

2 cases are presented in which bromocriptine (Parlodel) was administered to suppress physiological lactation; parturition had precipitated deterioration in mental status and psychotic behavior. Discontinuation of bromocriptine and administration of antipsychotic medication resulted in gradual improvement in the psychotic symptoms, without complications of galactorrhea or breast engorgement. We recommend that changes in mental status be looked for when bromocriptine is given.

Adult↗

PubMed1986