The Janus face of antipsychotics in glial cells: Focus on glioprotection.

Antipsychotics are commonly prescribed to treat several neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, mania in bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, delirium, and organic or secondary psychosis, for example, in dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. There is evidence that typical antipsychotics such as haloperidol are more effective in reducing positive symptoms than negative symptoms and/or cognitive deficits. In contrast, atypical antipsychotic agents have gained popularity over typical antipsychotics, due to fewer extrapyramidal side effects and their theoretical efficacy in controlling both positive and negative symptoms. Although these therapies focus on neuron-based therapeutic schemes, glial cells have been recognized as important regulators of the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as targets to improve the efficacy of these drugs. Glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia) are critical for the central nervous system in both physiological and pathological conditions. Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells and play important roles in brain homeostasis, regulating neurotransmitter systems and gliotransmission, since they express a wide variety of functional receptors for different neurotransmitters. In addition, converging lines of evidence indicate that psychiatric disorders are commonly associated with the triad neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity, and that glial cells may contribute to the gliotoxicity process. Conversely, glioprotective molecules attenuate glial damage by generating specific responses that can protect glial cells themselves and/or neurons, resulting in improved central nervous system (CNS) functioning. In this regard, resveratrol is well-recognized as a glioprotective molecule, including in clinical studies of schizophrenia and autism. This review will provide a summary of the dual role of antipsychotics on neurochemical parameters associated with glial functions and will highlight the potential activity of glioprotective molecules to improve the action of antipsychotics.

Estudio de utilización de psicofármacos en usuarios de la policlínica del Hospital Vilardebó con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia (años 2006 y 2016) / Study of the use of psychotropic drugs in users of the Vilardebó Hospital polyclinic with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (2006 and 2016)

El tratamiento farmacológico de demostrada eficacia en la esquizofrenia es el antipsicótico. Sin embargo, en muchas ocasiones se requiere medicación concomitante que depende de comorbilidades y efectos adversos. Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, longitudinal, retrospectivo, considerando el año 2006 y 2016, en una población de usuarios con esquizofrenia de la Policlínica del Hospital Vilardebó, analizando los tratamientos con psicofármacos. Se diferenciaron los tratamientos según monoterapia antipsicótica y polifarmacia con 2 antipsicóticos, y polifarmacia con más de 2 antipsicóticos, antidepresivos, estabilizantes del humor, benzodiacepinas y anticolinérgicos. La población inicial en 2006 fue de 621 pacientes y 398 pacientes continuaban en tratamiento en 2016. Mantuvieron el trata-miento con antipsicóticos 377 pacientes; 184 mantuvieron benzodiacepinas; 59 se mantuvieron con anticolinérgicos; 49, con estabilizantes del humor y 47, con antidepresivos. La monoterapia antipsicótica se presentó en torno al 50 % de la población estudiada. Se deberían revisar aquellas prácticas que se infieren a partir de este estudio, como el uso prolongado de anticolinérgicos, benzodiacepinas, y polifarmacia con más de 2 antipsicóticos, que está extendida en los usuarios con esquizofrenia. El tratamiento con clozapina fue el más estable y no parece aumentar la mortalidad en estos pacientes

Antipsychotics are the proved effective therapy for schizophrenia. However, on many occasions, associated drugs are required depending on comorbidities and side effects. A retrospective longitudinal quantitative study of drug prescription for 2006 and 2016 in patients with schizophrenia diagnosis was carried out in an outpatient clinic at Hospital Vilardebó. Treatments were classified as antipsychotic monotherapy, two antipsychotic drugs polypharmacy and polypharmacy with two antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines and anticholinergic drugs. Initial population in 2006 included 621 patients, 398 were still being treated in 2016. Antipsychotic drugs were still being received in 377 patients, benzodiazepines in 184, anticholinergic drugs in 59, mood stabilizers in 49, and anti-depressants in 47. Antipsychotic monotherapy was 50% of the population. Those practices that can be inferred from this study, with lengthy use of anticholinergic drugs, benzodiazepines, and the use of more than 2 antipsychotic drugs in patients with schizophrenia diagnosis should be revised. Clozapine therapy was the most stable and does not seem to increase mortality.

Haloperidol rescues the schizophrenia-like phenotype in adulthood after rotenone administration in neonatal rats.

Neuropsychiatric disorders are multifactorial disturbances that encompass several hypotheses, including changes in neurodevelopment. It is known that brain development disturbances during early life can predict psychosis in adulthood. As we have previously demonstrated, rotenone, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, could induce psychiatric-like behavior in 60-day-old rats after intraperitoneal injections from the 5th to the 11th postnatal day. Because mitochondrial deregulation is related to psychiatric disorders and the establishment of animal models is a high-value preclinical tool, we investigated the responsiveness of the rotenone (Rot)-treated newborn rats to pharmacological agents used in clinical practice, haloperidol (Hal), and methylphenidate (MPD). Taken together, our data show that Rot-treated animals exhibit hyperlocomotion, decreased social interaction, and diminished contextual fear conditioning response at P60, consistent with positive, negative, and cognitive deficits of schizophrenia (SZ), respectively, that were reverted by Hal, but not MPD. Rot-treated rodents also display a prodromal-related phenotype at P35. Overall, our results seem to present a new SZ animal model as a consequence of mitochondrial inhibition during a critical neurodevelopmental period. Therefore, our study is crucial not only to elucidate the relevance of mitochondrial function in the etiology of SZ but also to fulfill the need for new and trustworthy experimentation models and, likewise, provide possibilities to new therapeutic avenues for this burdensome disorder.

Psicosis secundaria a meningioma: revisión a propósito de un caso / Secondary psychosis due to meningioma: review about a case

Resumen Los meningiomas son los tumores primarios más frecuentes del sistema nervioso central, tienden a ser benignos y de lento crecimiento. Pueden ser asintomáticos o incluso manifestarse únicamente con síntomas psiquiátricos, incluyendo un cuadro psicótico. No existen estudios clínicos controlados randomizados que estudien la relación entre meningioma y cuadros psicóticos. La evidencia disponible se basa en series y reportes de casos. Existe una relación entre la magnitud del edema perilesional y la presencia de síntomas psicóticos. Por otra parte, el tamaño de la lesión o su localización neuroanatómica específica tendrían menor relevancia. La resección quirúrgica de la lesión, en conjunto con el manejo psiquiátrico adecuado, usualmente conduce al cese de la sintomatología psicótica. En la evaluación de pacientes con síntomas psicóticos se debe tener un elevado índice de sospecha, en particular en cuadros de reciente inicio, con manifestaciones atípicas o resistentes al tratamiento. En estos casos se recomienda un estudio con neuroimágenes. Este artículo presenta el caso de una paciente evaluada en nuestro hospital diagnosticada con un meningioma frontal izquierdo de gran tamaño, que presentó sintomatología psicótica secundaria, y se expone una revisión bibliográfica actualizada de esta asociación.

Meningiomas are the most frequent central nervous primary tumors, which tend to be benign and present a slow growth. They may be asymptomatic or present clinically just with psychiatric symptoms including a psychotic state. There are no clinical randomized controlled trials that study the relationship between meningioma and a psychotic episode. Available evidence is based on case reports and series. There is a relationship between the magnitude of perilesional edema and the presence of psychotic symptoms. On the other hand, the size of the tumor or its specific neuroanatomic location would have less relevance. Surgical resection of the tumor associated with psychiatric management usually leads to the cessation of psychotic symptoms. In the assessment of patients with psychotic symptoms, there must be a high index of suspicion, particularly in first psychotic episodes, atypical manifestations and resistance to treatment. In these cases, a neuroimaging study is recommended. This article presents the case of a patient evaluated in our hospital and diagnosed with a large left frontal meningioma with secondary psychotic symptoms, and an updated bibliographic review of this association is presented.

Eficácia e segurança de Aripiprazol comparado aos antipsicóticos disponíveis no SUS para tratamento de Esquizofrenia em adultos: revisão rápida de evidências / Compared effectiveness and safety of Aripiprazol and antipsychotics available on Brazilian Public Health System for treatment of Schizophrenic adults: a rapid review of evidence

Tecnologia: Aripiprazol, antipsicóticos disponíveis no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Indicação: Tratamento da esquizofrenia em adultos. Pergunta: O Aripiprazol é mais eficaz e seguro para promover controle sintomático, que os antipsicóticos disponíveis no SUS? Métodos: Levantamento bibliográfico foi realizado em bases de dados PUBMED, com estratégias estruturadas de busca, e a qualidade metodológica das revisões sistemáticas foi avaliada com a ferramenta AMSTAR II. Resultados: Foram identificados 109 resumos de revisões sistemáticas. Após leitura dos mesmos, foram selecionadas 2 revisões sistemáticas. Conclusão: Aripiprazol tem eficácia e segurança similar à Ziprasidona e Haloperidol, mas eficácia semelhante e maior segurança metabólica que a Quetiapina, Olanzapina, Clozapina e Risperidona. Ziprasidona apresenta vantagem sobre o Aripiprazol, pois tem menor risco de efeito colateral de mudanças na função sexual. Considerando que o perfil de eficácia e segurança do Aripiprazol é muito parecido com o dos outros antipsicóticos disponíveis no SUS, com mínimas diferenças, e seu custo de tratamento é inferior ao da Ziprasidona e Quetiapina, essa droga poderia estar disponível no SUS

Technology: Aripiprazole, antipsychotics available in the Brazilian Public Health System (BPHS). Indication: Treatment of schizophrenia in adults. Question: Is Aripiprazole more effective and safer to promote symptomatic control than antipsychotics available in BPHS? Methods: A bibliographic survey was carried out in PUBMED databases, with structured search strategies, and the methodological quality of systematic reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR II tool. Results: 109 abstracts of systematic reviews were identified. After reading them, 2 systematic reviews were selected. Conclusion: Aripiprazole has identical effectiveness and safety to Ziprasidone and Haloperidol, but similar efficacy and greater safety than Quetiapine, Olanzapine, Clozapine and Risperidone. Ziprasidone has an advantage over Aripiprazole as it has a lower risk of side effects of changes in sexual function. Since the Aripiprazole's effectiveness and safety profile is very similar to profile of others antipsychotics available in BPHS, with minimal differences, and it has cost lower than Ziprasidone and Quetiapine, this drug could be available in BPHS

Lista de medicamentos esenciales para el manejo de pacientes que ingresan a unidades de cuidados intensivos con sospecha o diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19 / List of essential drugs for the management of patients admitted to intensive care units with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19

En el transcurso de la pandemia de COVID-19, numerosos países, de ingresos bajos, medianos y alto, han visto agotadas sus reservas de medicamentos esenciales necesarios para el manejo de los pacientes con COVID-19 en las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI). El plan de preparación para emergencias sanitarias de los países requiere incluir una lista de medicamentos esenciales y otros dispositivos médicos necesarios en las UCI para afrontar emergencias sanitarias. La lista de medicamentos esenciales para el manejo de pacientes que ingresan a unidades de cuidados intensivos con sospecha o diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19 es un documento de orientación fundamental que ayuda a los sistemas de salud de los países a priorizar los medicamentos esenciales que deben estar ampliamente disponibles y ser asequibles para manejar los pacientes en las UCI durante las situaciones de emergencia sanitaria, en este caso con sospecha o diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19. Está dirigida a las autoridades sanitaras y a los encargados del manejo del sistema de salud de los países. Esta lista incluye fundamentalmente los medicamentos considerados esenciales para el manejo de los cuadros clínicos que con se observan con mayor frecuencia en pacientes hospitalizados en UCI a causa de una infección por SARS-CoV-2. No se incluyen la mayoría de los medicamentos que comúnmente se encuentran en las UCI para el manejo de otras patologías, comorbilidades o la estabilización del paciente (p. ej., insulina o antihipertensivos), salvo aquellos que pueden requerirse para el tratamiento o apoyo (p. ej., bloqueantes neuromusculares o anestésicos) de las dolencias generadas por la infección. Tampoco se incluyen medicamentos específicos para el tratamiento de la infección por SARS-CoV-2, puesto que no existe, por el momento, evidencia científica de alta calidad que avale su uso, salvo en el contexto de ensayos clínicos controlados. Un equipo de expertos en el tema realizó una búsqueda de información sobre la atención de pacientes en UCI durante la pandemia de COVID-19, en Medline (a través de PubMed), Cochrane, Tripdatabase, Epistemonikos y en buscadores generales de internet (Google). Se identificaron también revisiones o guías generadas por ministerios de Salud de varios países de la Región de las Américas, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS), el Instituto Nacional de Salud y Excelencia Clínica (NICE) de Reino Unido, los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) de Estados Unidos y los Institutos Nacionales de Salud (NIH) de Estados Unidos.

Informe rápido de evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias: ¿Deberia usarse Zuclopenthixol vs. Haloperidol para el tratamiento de la psicosis aguda? / Quick report on evaluation of sanitary technologies: ¿Deberia use Zuclopenthixol vs. Haloperidol for the treatment of acute psychosis?

INTRODUCCIÓN Importancia del problema (Conocimiento de base mas epidemiologia o datos locales). Descripcion de la intervención/ Tecnología evaluada: Zuclopenthixol inyectable. Porque podría funcionar esta intervencion. BÚSQUEDA: Se realizó una búsqueda en Pubmed y en Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Trials Register (ultima búsqueda 25 de Septiembre 2019). No hubo restricción de lenguaje, fecha, tipo de documento o publicación. Se realizó además una búsqueda en el repositorio de revisiones sistemáticas Epistemonikos y en Cochrane Library y en Pubmed. RESULTADOS: Un estudio multicêntrico realizado por Heikkila 1981a incluido en el perfil de evidencia sobre eficacia y seguridad de zuclopenthixol comparado con placebo (Tabla 1) realizado en Finlandia incluyo 63 pacientes con chronic schizophrenia (n = 58) u otros trastornos psicoticos (n = 5, paranoic state, depressive/PD) con una duracion de la enfermedad > 10 años n: 40 y n:11 com una duracion de la enfermedad > cinco años en el context de pacientes hospitalizados randomizados a recibir 1. Cis(Z)-zuclopenthixol: dose 40 mg/day. N = 30 o bien 2. Haloperidol: dose 10 mg/day. N = 33. Se evaluaron los desenlaces incluidos en el perfil de evidencia entre ellos incluidos el estado mental global (continuo o dicotomico (desenlace critico) y eventos adversos (desenlaces importantes) que incluyeron movimientos anormales, akatisia y uso de medicacion de rescate. Existe incertidumbre sobre el efecto del zuclopenthixol frente a haloperidol en los scores globales de estado mental, el zuclopenthixol no podria no asociarse con eventos adversos evaluados. Estos resultados estan basados en una muy baja certeza de la evidencia por alto riesgo de sesgo (attrition bias, datos de resultados incomplete, sesgo de seleccion de Berkson y sesgo diagnostic). CONCLUSIONES: ¿Deberia usarse Zuclopenthixol frente a Haloperidol para el tratamiento de los episódios psicóticos agudos? Certeza de la evidencia: Muy baja.

Eficácia, segurança e efetividade comparada de palmitato de paliperidona e outros antipsicóticos injetáveis de efeito prolongado para tratamento de esquizofrenia: revisão rápida de evidências / Efficacy, safety and effectiveness in the real world for paliperidone palmitate compared to the others long acting injectable antipsychotics for schizophrenia treatment: rapid review of evidence

Tecnologia: Palmitato de Paliperidona (PP) é um antipsicótico injetáveis de efeito prolongado (AIEP). Indicação: Tratamento sintomático da esquizofrenia. Objetivo: Comparar a eficácia, segurança e efetividade terapêutica entre PP e outros AIEP para o tratamento de esquizofrenia em adultos. Pergunta: O PP é mais eficaz e seguro que os outros AIEP (Decanoato de Haloperidol, Enantato de Flufenazina, Decanoato de Zuclopentixol, Risperidona-IEP) para o tratamento sintomático de esquizofrenia em adultos? Métodos: Levantamento bibliográfico, com estratégias estruturadas de busca, na base de dados PUBMED. Foi feita avaliação da qualidade metodológica das revisões sistemáticas (RS), ensaios clínicos randomizados (ECR) e dos estudos observacionais de efetividade no mundo real (EOEMR) com as ferramentas Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR), Delphi List e Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), respectivamente. Resultados: Foram selecionadas 3 RS, 1 ECR e 3 EOEMR. Conclusão: PP (de aplicação mensal) tem similar eficácia e segurança com a Risperidona-IEP para o tratamento de esquizofrenia, exceto que provoca menor incidência de sintomas extrapiramidais. PP e Decanoato de Haloperidol são similares na eficácia e segurança para o tratamento de esquizofrenia, inclusive no risco de sintomas extrapiramidais (discinesias tardias e parkinsonismo), exceto que PP tem menor incidência de acatisia. PP é similar aos outros AIEP nos vários desfechos de eficácia e segurança terapêutica, inclusive mortalidade

Technology: Paliperidone palmitate (PP) is a long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics. Indication: Symptomatic treatment of schizophrenia. Objective: To compare the therapeutic efficacy, safety and effectiveness in the real world between PP and other LAI antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. Question: Is PP more effective and safer than other LAI antipsychotics (Haloperidol Decanoate, Fluphenazine Enanthate, Zuclopentixol Decanoate, Risperidone-LAI), for the symptomatic treatment of schizophrenia? Methods: Bibliographic survey, with structured search strategies, in the PUBMED database. Na evaluation was made of the methodological quality of systematic reviews (SR), randomized clinical trials (RCT) and observational studies (OS) of effectiveness in the real world with Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR), Delphi List and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) tools, respectively. Results: 3 SR, 1 RCT and 3 OE were included. Conclusion: PP (monthly dose presentation) has similar efficacy and safety with Risperidone-LAI for the treatment of schizophrenia, except that it causes a lower incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms. PP and Haloperidol Decanoate are similar in efficacy and safety for the treatment of schizophrenia, including the risk of extra-pyramidal symptoms (tardive dyskinesias and parkinsonism), except that PP has a lower incidence of akathisia. PP has similar outcomes of efficacy and safety to the other LAI antipsychotics, including mortality risk

QTc interval prolongation in critically ill patients: Prevalence, risk factors and associated medications.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of acquired long QT syndrome (LQTS) on admission to a general Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and to assess the risk of LQTS associated with prescribed medications. METHODS: Prospective observational, cross-sectional study approved by the Institutional Review Board. Between May 2014 and July 2016, 412 patients >18 years-old consecutively admitted to the ICU of a university hospital were included. LQTS was defined as a QT interval on the admission electrocardiogram corrected using Bazett's formula (QTc) >460 ms for men and >470 ms for women. All medications administered within 24 hours before admission were recorded. Logistic regression was used. RESULTS: LQTS prevalence was 27.9%. In LQTS patients, 70.4% had ≥ 1 LQTS-inducing drug prescribed in the 24 hours prior to ICU admission versus 70.4% in non-LQTS patients (p = 0.99). Bradycardia and Charlson morbidity index score are independent risk factors for LQTS. Haloperidol (OR 4.416), amiodarone (OR 2.509) and furosemide (OR 1.895) were associated with LQTS, as well as another drug not yet described, namely clopidogrel (OR 2.241). CONCLUSIONS: The LQTS is highly prevalent in critically ill patients, ICU patients are often admitted with LQTS-inducing medications, and patients with slow heart rate or with high Charlson comorbidity index should be evaluated for LQTS.

Prevalence and risk factors related to haloperidol use for delirium in adult intensive care patients: the multinational AID-ICU inception cohort study.

PURPOSE: We assessed the prevalence and variables associated with haloperidol use for delirium in ICU patients and explored any associations of haloperidol use with 90-day mortality. METHODS: All acutely admitted, adult ICU patients were screened during a 2-week inception period. We followed the patient throughout their ICU stay and assessed 90-day mortality. We assessed patients and their variables in the first 24 and 72 h in ICU and studied their association together with that of ICU characteristics with haloperidol use. RESULTS: We included 1260 patients from 99 ICUs in 13 countries. Delirium occurred in 314/1260 patients [25% (95% confidence interval 23-27)] of whom 145 received haloperidol [46% (41-52)]. Other interventions for delirium were benzodiazepines in 36% (31-42), dexmedetomidine in 21% (17-26), quetiapine in 19% (14-23) and olanzapine in 9% (6-12) of the patients with delirium. In the first 24 h in the ICU, all subtypes of delirium [hyperactive, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 29.7 (12.9-74.5); mixed 10.0 (5.0-20.2); hypoactive 3.0 (1.2-6.7)] and circulatory support 2.7 (1.7-4.3) were associated with haloperidol use. At 72 h after ICU admission, circulatory support remained associated with subsequent use of haloperidol, aOR 2.6 (1.1-6.9). Haloperidol use within 0-24 h and within 0-72 h of ICU admission was not associated with 90-day mortality [aOR 1.2 (0.5-2.5); p = 0.66] and [aOR 1.9 (1.0-3.9); p = 0.07], respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, haloperidol was the main pharmacological agent used for delirium in adult patients regardless of delirium subtype. Benzodiazepines, other anti-psychotics and dexmedetomidine were other frequently used agents. Haloperidol use was not statistically significantly associated with increased 90-day mortality.

Psychotropic prescriptions for the treatment of schizophrenia in an outpatient clinic.

INTRODUCTION: There is an unpredictable pattern in the prescription of antipsychotics and other psychotropic medications for the treatment of schizophrenia, particularly in resource-limited settings in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To determine the psychotropic prescriptions given to patients with schizophrenia in an outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital and to describe the choices and trends of these prescriptions. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of prescriptions for adults with schizophrenia. After clinical consultation, patients' case notes were randomly selected over a period of 2 years. Using a structured form, data were extracted from the case notes including biodemographic data, psychotropic medications prescribed and changes made to these prescriptions. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients were selected, with a mean age of 35.96±9.78 years; 48.5% were males and 51.5% were females; 33% were unemployed and 38% had been hospitalized in the past. There were 231 initial prescriptions and 228 current prescriptions, with about 2.2 prescriptions per patient. Haloperidol (mean dose 14.77±6.28mg and 11.44±5.55mg for initial and current) and other old-generation antipsychotics were the most commonly prescribed for new cases (98%). Mean duration of psychotropic use was 7.78±5.6 years. All the patients were prescribed trihexyphenidyl, and 56.3% of the patients had their medications changed as a result of side effects. CONCLUSION: There was a very high preference for the use of first-generation antipsychotics for all treatment settings (in- and outpatients), a pattern that is likely to persist.

Psychotropic prescriptions for the treatment of schizophrenia in an outpatient clinic / Prescrições psicotrópicas para o tratamento da esquizofrenia em uma clínica ambulatorial

Abstract Introduction There is an unpredictable pattern in the prescription of antipsychotics and other psychotropic medications for the treatment of schizophrenia, particularly in resource-limited settings in developing countries. Objective To determine the psychotropic prescriptions given to patients with schizophrenia in an outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital and to describe the choices and trends of these prescriptions. Methods This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of prescriptions for adults with schizophrenia. After clinical consultation, patients' case notes were randomly selected over a period of 2 years. Using a structured form, data were extracted from the case notes including biodemographic data, psychotropic medications prescribed and changes made to these prescriptions. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. Results A total of 103 patients were selected, with a mean age of 35.96±9.78 years; 48.5% were males and 51.5% were females; 33% were unemployed and 38% had been hospitalized in the past. There were 231 initial prescriptions and 228 current prescriptions, with about 2.2 prescriptions per patient. Haloperidol (mean dose 14.77±6.28mg and 11.44±5.55mg for initial and current) and other old-generation antipsychotics were the most commonly prescribed for new cases (98%). Mean duration of psychotropic use was 7.78±5.6 years. All the patients were prescribed trihexyphenidyl, and 56.3% of the patients had their medications changed as a result of side effects. Conclusion There was a very high preference for the use of first-generation antipsychotics for all treatment settings (in- and outpatients), a pattern that is likely to persist.

Resumo Introdução Existe um padrão imprevisível na prescrição de antipsicóticos e outros medicamentos psicotrópicos para o tratamento da esquizofrenia, especialmente em ambientes com limitação de recursos em países em desenvolvimento. Objetivo Determinar as prescrições psicotrópicas dadas a pacientes com esquizofrenia em uma clínica ambulatorial de um hospital terciário e descrever as escolhas e tendências dessas prescrições. Métodos Este foi um estudo descritivo transversal das prescrições dadas a adultos com esquizofrenia. Após consulta clínica, os prontuários dos pacientes foram selecionados aleatoriamente ao longo de um período de 2 anos. Usando um formulário estruturado, os dados foram extraídos dos prontuários, incluindo dados biodemográficos, medicamentos psicotrópicos prescritos e mudanças feitas a essas prescrições. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva. Resultados Um total de 103 pacientes foram selecionados, com idade média de 35,96±9,78 anos; 48,5% eram do sexo masculino e 51,5% do sexo feminino; 33% estavam desempregados e 38% haviam sido hospitalizados no passado. Houve 231 prescrições iniciais e 228 prescrições atuais, com aproximadamente 2,2 prescrições por paciente. O haloperidol (dose média de 14,77±6,28mg e 11,44±5,55mg para prescrições inicial e atual) e outros antipsicóticos de primeira geração foram os mais comumente prescritos para casos novos (98%). A duração média do uso de psicotrópicos foi de 7,78±5,6 anos. Todos os pacientes receberam prescrição de triexifenidil, e 56,3% dos pacientes tiveram seus medicamentos alterados como resultado de efeitos colaterais. Conclusão Houve uma alta preferência pelo uso de antipsicóticos de primeira geração para todos os regimes de tratamento (internação e ambulatorial), um padrão que provavelmente persistirá.

Análisis de costo-efectividad de ondansetrón, alizaprida, domperidona, granisetrón, aprepitant, propofol, dexametasona, dimenhidrinato, metoclopramida y haloperidol para la profilaxis y/o tratamiento de pacientes con náusea y vómito en Colombia / Cost-effectiveness analysis of ondansetron, alizapride, domperidone, granisetron, aprepitant, propofol, dexamethasone, dimenhydrinate, metoclopramide, and haloperidol for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of patients with nausea and vomiting in Colombia

INTRODUCCIÓN: El análisis de costo-efectividad de ondansetrón, alizaprida, domperidona, granisetrón, aprepitant, propofol, dexametasona, dimenhidrinato, metoclopramida y haloperidol para la profilaxis y/o tratamiento de pacientes con náusea y vómito en Colombia, se desarrolla en el marco del mecanismo técnico-científico para la ampliación progresiva del plan de beneficios y la definición de la lista de exclusiones, establecido en el artículo 15 de la Ley 1751 de 2015. Estas tecnologías fueron seleccionadas por la Dirección de Beneficios, Costos y Tarifas del Aseguramiento en Salud del Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social (MSPS), y remitidas al Instituto de Evaluación Tecnológica en Salud (IETS) para su evaluación. La náusea es una sensación desagradable, de asco intenso a los alimentos, o de vómito inminente, y está asociada a la disminución de la actividad motora gástrica, el incremento del tono de la pared duodenal y reflujo de su contenido al estómago, lo que causa su distensión. Ésta, se acompaña de manifestaciones del sistema nervioso autónomo como hiper-salivación, palidez, sudación, taquicardia y taquipnea El vómito, por su parte, es la expulsión fo

Luxación témporo-mandibular recurrente y secundaria a distonía por antipsicóticos / Recurrent temporomandibular luxation secondary to dystonia induced by antipsychotics

La distonía aguda inducida por antipsicóticos sigue siendo una patología frecuente en los servicios de emergencia psiquiátrica. Sin embargo, la luxación de la articulación tómporo-mandibular, como secuela de distonía oromandibular, es una presentación inusual dentro de esta casuística. Presentamos el caso de una paciente mujer de 20 años de edad, quien recibió haloperidol intramuscular tras sendas crisis de agitación psicomotriz y persistencia de riesgo suicida, y que luego desarrolló distonía oro-mandibular, a consecuencia de la cual sufrió luxación témporomandibular unilateral. Como conclusión, se recomienda no repetir la administración de antipsicóticos parenterales de alta potencia a personas que han padecido luxación de la articulación témporo-mandibular como consecuencia de distonía secundaria a estos fármacos. Se plantea además la posibilidad de que, debido al uso masivo y creciente de antipsicóticos atípicos en el momento actual, la capacitación de los psiquiatras en cuanto a predicción y manejo de efectos adversos de los neurolépticos puede estar siendo negligida.

Antipsychotic-induced acute dystonia remains as a common presentation in psychiatric emergency services. However, luxation of the temporo-mandibular joint, as a sequel to oro-mandibular dystonia is an unusual clinical occurrence. We report the case of a 20-years-old-woman who received intramuscular haloperidol after two crisis of psychomotor agitation with persistent suicidal risk, developed then oro-mandibular dystonia and, as a result of which, suffered unilateral temporo-mandibular dislocation. A recommendation is made not to repeat a parenteral administration of high-potency antipsychotics to patients who have suffered dislocation of the temporo-mandibular joint as a result of secondary dystonia to these drugs. Additionally, we examine the possibility that, due to the massive and growing use of atypical antipsychotics at the present time, the training of psychiatrists about prediction and management of adverse effects of neuroleptics may be neglected.

Potential drug-drug interaction in Mexican patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to observe potential drug-drug interactions in the medication of Mexican schizophrenic patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective and cross-sectional study that was carried out in a psychiatric clinic. Only the prescriptions of patients with schizophrenia whose diagnoses were based on the DSM-IV instrument were included in this study. The Drug Interactions Checker software ( http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html ) was used in this study to analyse potential drug-drug interactions. RESULTS: In total, 86 of 126 patients were at risk of potential drug-drug interactions. Haloperidol and biperiden was the most common drug pair of 232 pairs evaluated. In our study, 13.8% of drug-drug interaction showed a major level of severity, whereas in 83.2%, the interaction was moderate. Finally, central nervous system (CNS) depression and anticholinergic effect were the main possible effects of drug-drug interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed a high number of patients with schizophrenia receiving two or more drugs. The potential drug-drug interactions observed in the Mexican population are consistent with the concomitant use of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants prescribed in schizophrenia that could cause central nervous system (CNS) depression and anticholinergic effect. Drug-drug interaction must be considered when the patient with schizophrenia is medicated.