Vortioxetine for the treatment of depression.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical literature and potential clinical role of vortioxetine (Brintellix) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (1966-February 2014) was conducted using the search terms vortioxetine, Lu AA21004, and depression. Bibliographies of all articles retrieved were also reviewed. All references included were published between 1999 and 2014. STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION: All studies that included humans and were published in English, with data describing vortioxetine for the treatment of MDD, were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Vortioxetine is a novel multimodal antidepressant agent, which inhibits the 5-HT transporter protein, acts as a 5-HT3 antagonist, 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 5-HT7 receptor antagonist, and a partial agonist of the 5-HT1B receptor. It has been studied in 10 short-term (6-8 weeks), 1 relapse-prevention, and 3 long-term extension trials. Vortioxetine demonstrated efficacy in reducing Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale or Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores in 6 of the short-term trials. The proportion of individuals who responded to treatment and achieved remission increased over time in all 3 long-term trials. The most common adverse effects, consistently reported by >10% of individuals in the clinical trials include nausea and headache. CONCLUSIONS: Vortioxetine is an effective agent for the treatment of MDD, but it does not have any clear advantages over other available treatment options.

Ospemifene in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of ospemifene in the management of dyspareunia. DATA SOURCES: Literature was sought using PubMed (1966-January 2014) and EMBASE (1973-January 2014). Search terms included ospemifene, FC-1271a, dyspareunia, vulvovaginal atrophy, and vaginal atrophy. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All studies, including studies on humans, published in English with data assessing the efficacy and safety of ospemifene in the management of dyspareunia were evaluated. DATA SYNTHESIS: Ospemifene is a new oral estrogen receptor agonist/antagonist indicated for moderate to severe dyspareunia. Clinical trials evaluating efficacy have shown a significant improvement in superficial cells, parabasal cells, vaginal pH, vaginal dryness, and dyspareunia. The most frequently reported adverse drug reactions in the clinical trials included hot flashes, vaginal discharge, muscle spasms, and hyperhidrosis. Similar to systemic estrogen, boxed warnings with ospemifene include risk for thromboembolism and cerebrovascular disease. Additionally, patients with a uterus still need to use a progestogen with ospemifene to reduce the risk of hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Ospemifene has been effective in improving symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy when compared with placebo; however, no studies comparing ospemifene with estrogen products exist. Additional clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety in specialty populations, and long-term safety data are needed to assess the potential for serious adverse events. With the risks being similar to that for systemic estrogen therapy, ospemifene appears to be an alternative agent to estrogen therapy but does not have any advantages over estrogen.