Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry Updates

In this episode, we explore the evidence behind Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for depression, from early clinical trials to real-world effectiveness. What makes some patients respond better to TMS than others? We discuss response rates, treatment protocols, and the exciting development of faster treatment options. Faculty: Simon Kung, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1 CME: TMS in Psychiatry: Innovations and Best Practices Exploring the Evidence of TMS for Depression

In this episode, we explore the crucial aspects of patient selection for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in treating depression. We discuss insurance criteria, contraindications, and practical considerations. Did you know that while TMS was FDA-approved in 2008, it wasn't widely accessible until Medicare began covering it in 2014? Faculty: Simon Kung, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1 CME: TMS in Psychiatry: Innovations and Best Practices Optimizing Patient Selection for TMS Treatment

In this episode, we explore a landmark Finnish study examining the long-term risk of agranulocytosis in patients taking clozapine. The research followed 62,000 patients over 22 years, providing crucial data about this rare but serious side effect. Could these findings change how we approach clozapine prescribing and monitoring requirements? Faculty: Oliver Freudenreich, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.75 CME: Quick Take Vol. 66 Does Clozapine's Agranulocytosis Risk Persist Beyond Initial Treatment Period?

In this episode, we explore Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as a treatment option for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). We discuss the FDA-approved devices, unique protocols, and why patients need their anxiety triggered before each session. Did you know TMS for OCD targets a completely different brain region than TMS for depression? Faculty: Simon Kung, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1 CME: TMS in Psychiatry: Innovations and Best Practices Exploring the Evidence of TMS for OCD

In this episode, we explore donanemab, a groundbreaking monoclonal antibody treatment for Alzheimer's disease. We discuss its efficacy in reducing beta-amyloid plaques, unique treatment duration protocol, and safety considerations. Could this time-limited treatment approach revolutionize how we manage Alzheimer's progression? Faculty: Scott Beach, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.75 CMEs: Quick Take Vol. 66 Can Donanemab Slow Alzheimer's Progression?

In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking Danish registry study that challenges common beliefs about long-term benzodiazepine use and dose escalation patterns. Are our concerns about inevitable tolerance and dependence justified? The study's findings might surprise you and reshape prescribing practices. Faculty: Scott Beach, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.75 CME: Quick Take Vol. 65 Do Benzodiazepine Users Escalate Doses Over Time?

In this episode, we explore the side effects and safety considerations of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy in psychiatry. Did you know that despite common concerns, fewer than 2% of patients discontinue TMS due to discomfort? We'll discuss everything from common side effects to practical management strategies. Faculty: Simon Kung, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1 CME: TMS in Psychiatry: Innovations and Best Practices Assessing the Potential Side Effects of TMS

In this episode, we explore the crucial interaction between SSRIs and oral anticoagulants, examining a groundbreaking 23-year study of over 330,000 patients. Does combining these medications significantly increase bleeding risk, and if so, how can we safely manage patients who need both treatments? Faculty: Scott Beach, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.75 CME: Quick Take Vol. 65 Can SSRIs Be Safely Prescribed With Oral Anticoagulants?

In this episode, we explore the safe use and monitoring of lamotrigine, focusing on cardiac risks and when EKG monitoring is necessary. Did you know that reducing lamotrigine dose doesn't actually mitigate cardiac risks but could increase the risk of psychiatric destabilization? Faculty: Scott Beach, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 0.5 CME: Lamotrigine: From Current Indications to Cardiac Side Effects Strategies for Safe Usage and Proper Monitoring of Lamotrigine

In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked phenomenon of antipsychotic withdrawal, examining new findings from the world's largest drug safety database. Could some cases of apparent psychotic relapse actually be withdrawal symptoms in disguise? We discuss common withdrawal effects, risk factors, and evidence-based strategies for safe medication discontinuation. Faculty: Oliver Freudenreich, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.75 CME: Quick Take Vol. 64 Antipsychotic Withdrawal Syndrome: Symptoms, Risks, and Prevention Strategies

In this episode, we explore lamotrigine's cardiac side effects, focusing on QTc prolongation and QRS widening. How concerned should psychiatrists be about the FDA warning regarding lamotrigine's cardiac effects? We examine the evidence behind these concerns and discuss practical implications for clinical practice. Faculty: Scott Beach, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 0.5 CME: Lamotrigine: From Current Indications to Cardiac Side Effects Lamotrigine Effect on QTc Prolongation and QRS Widening

In this episode, we examine a groundbreaking Danish study that challenges the conventional belief that sedative medications increase fall risk in older adults. Could untreated insomnia, rather than the medications used to treat it, be the real culprit behind falls in elderly patients? Faculty: Scott Beach, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.75 CME: Quick Take Vol. 64 Insomnia in the Elderly: Do Sedatives Increase or Decrease Fall Risk?

In this episode, we explore lamotrigine's side effects and special considerations, particularly focusing on identifying dangerous skin reactions, pregnancy considerations, and overdose risks. Did you know that Asian populations may require special genetic screening before starting lamotrigine due to increased skin reaction risks? Faculty: Scott Beach, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 0.5 CME: Lamotrigine: From Current Indications to Cardiac Side Effects Lamotrigine: Side Effects and Special Considerations

In this episode, we explore the efficacy and safety of iloperidone in treating bipolar disorder, examining new phase 3 trial data that reveals both promising results for mania symptoms and important considerations about side effects. Can this antipsychotic's favorable EPS profile outweigh its metabolic risks? Faculty: Paul Zarkowski, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.75 CMEs: Quick Take Vol. 63 Iloperidone: A Potential Treatment Option for Bipolar Mania

In this episode, we explore the vital aspects of prescribing lamotrigine, from its mechanisms to titration schedules. Did you know that birth control pills can cut lamotrigine levels in half within just one week? Understanding these interactions is crucial for safe and effective treatment. Faculty: Scott Beach, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 0.5 CME: Lamotrigine: From Current Indications to Cardiac Side Effects Understanding Lamotrigine Mechanisms and Titration Schedule

In this episode, we explore the pharmacological management of agitation in emergency settings, focusing on benzodiazepines and the novel medication dexmedetomidine. Did you know there's now a sublingual option that works through an entirely different mechanism than traditional anti-agitation medications? Faculty: Scott Zeller, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1.25 CME: The Psychopharmacology of Agitation: Managing Behavioral Emergencies The Role of Benzodiazepines and Dexmedetomidine in Managing Agitation

In this episode, we explore KarXT, a groundbreaking experimental antipsychotic that works through the cholinergic system rather than dopamine pathways. Could this novel approach revolutionize schizophrenia treatment by offering similar efficacy to current antipsychotics but without the motor side effects? Faculty: Oliver Freudenreich, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.75 CMEs: Quick Take Vol. 63 Xanomeline-Trospium (KarXT) Shows Efficacy in Phase 3 Trial for Schizophrenia

In this episode, we explore evidence-based pharmacologic strategies for managing acute agitation in emergency settings, challenging the stigmatizing concept of "chemical restraints" and providing practical approaches to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Did you know that many agitated patients can actively participate in medication decisions, even during a crisis? Faculty: Scott Zeller, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1.25 CME: The Psychopharmacology of Agitation: Managing Behavioral Emergencies Pharmacologic Strategies for Managing Agitation: General Recommendations and Treatments Goals

In this episode, we explore how famotidine, a common heartburn medication, might help treat post-COVID brain fog. New research suggests this H2 blocker could improve cognitive function in recovering patients. But how does a stomach acid reducer potentially clear mental haziness? Faculty: Scott Beach, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.5 CMEs: Quick Take Vol. 62 Famotidine for COVID-19 Brain Fog: A Promising Treatment Option

In this episode, we explore nonpharmacologic strategies for managing agitated patients, focusing on verbal de-escalation techniques. Did you know that using physical restraints adds an average of four hours to an emergency department stay? Dr. Scott Zeller shares evidence-based approaches to transform crisis intervention in emergency settings. Faculty: Scott Zeller, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1.25 CME: The Psychopharmacology of Agitation: Managing Behavioral Emergencies Nonpharmacologic Strategies for Managing Agitation: Verbal De-Escalation

In this episode, we explore the RADAR trial's findings on antipsychotic dose reduction in schizophrenia. Can patients with chronic schizophrenia safely reduce or discontinue their antipsychotic medications without increasing relapse risk? The trial's results challenge common assumptions about medication reduction and provide crucial guidance for clinical practice. Faculty: Oliver Freudenreich, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.5 CME: Quick Take Vol. 62 Antipsychotic Dose Reduction in Schizophrenia: Insights From the RADAR Trial

In this episode, we explore the challenges of diagnosing and managing agitation in emergency settings, focusing on mood disorders and substance use. Dr. Scott Zeller shares insights on differentiating acute mania from substance-induced psychosis. How can clinicians navigate the complex interplay between psychiatric symptoms and substance effects in emergencies? Faculty: Scott Zeller, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1.25 CME: The Psychopharmacology of Agitation: Managing Behavioral Emergencies Other Psychiatric Diagnoses in Agitated Patients: Mood and Substance Use Disorders

In this episode, we explore the use of high-dose olanzapine as a potential alternative to clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. We discuss a systematic review that examines the efficacy and safety of olanzapine doses above the FDA-approved maximum. Could high-dose olanzapine be a viable option when patients refuse clozapine? Faculty: Oliver Freudenreich, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.5 CMEs: Quick Take Vol. 61 Is High-Dose Olanzapine an Option for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia?

In this episode, we explore how integrating psychodynamic principles into pharmacotherapy can enhance treatment outcomes. We discuss seven key features of psychodynamic psychotherapy and their application in routine psychiatric practice. How might understanding a patient's fantasies about their illness impact their response to medication? Faculty: David Mintz, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1 CME: Psychodynamic Psychopharmacology: Alliance, Communication, and Psychotherapy Skills Psychotherapy Skills in Everyday Practice: Ordinary Medical Psychotherapy

In this episode, we explore strategies for discontinuing benzodiazepines in hospitalized elderly patients. We discuss a recent Israeli study that tested two interventions during inpatient stays. Can a simple hospital-based intervention lead to successful long-term medication changes? Faculty: Paul Zarkowski, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.5 CMEs: Quick Take Vol. 61 Stopping Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs in Hospitalized Elderly Patients

In this episode, we explore the critical role of therapeutic alliance in psychopharmacology. We discuss how factors like empathy, communication, and shared decision-making can significantly impact treatment outcomes. Did you know that a doctor's warm voice can increase appointment adherence by 162%? Faculty: David Mintz, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1 CME: Psychodynamic Psychopharmacology: Alliance, Communication, and Psychotherapy Skills Pharmacotherapy Alliance, Treatment Preferences, and Communication

In this episode, we explore the cardiac and metabolic safety profile of antipsychotics in youth, based on a World Health Organization Safety Database analysis. We discuss age-dependent risks, specific medication concerns, and the importance of monitoring. How can clinicians balance the benefits of antipsychotics with potential cardiometabolic risks in young patients? Faculty: David Rosenberg, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.5 CMEs: CAP Smart Takes Vol. 20 Cardiac and Metabolic Safety Profile of Antipsychotics in Youth