Oral formulations of the antipsychotics aripiprazole, asenapine, lurasidone, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine, and risperidone are indicated for use in pediatrics for several diagnoses. Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are of interest in this special population because they may be used due to convenience and desire to improve adherence, despite limited support in the literature. The primary intent of this study is to provide descriptive information on the use of paliperidone palmitate, risperidone microspheres, aripiprazole extended-release injection, and olanzapine pamoate in pediatric patients within Indiana Medicaid. This study was a retrospective database analysis, which retrieved information from Indiana Medicaid over a 2-year timeframe spanning from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2014. The study included the prescription medications filled for all children and adolescents within Indiana Medicaid who received the LAI antipsychotics paliperidone palmitate, risperidone microspheres, aripiprazole extended-release injection, and olanzapine pamoate. From July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2014, 150 Indiana Medicaid patients younger than 18 years old were prescribed a LAI atypical antipsychotic. A total of 1013 LAI atypical antipsychotic doses were billed to Indiana Medicaid during the study period for pediatric patients. Paliperidone palmitate was billed most frequently. Long-acting injectable atypical antipsychotics are being prescribed for children and adolescents within Indiana Medicaid, despite minimal clinical evidence supporting use. There is a need for further research in this area to increase generalizability of results and aid in implementation of policies to prevent inappropriate use of LAI antipsychotics in children and adolescents.Abstract
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Intramuscular antipsychotics are commonly used to manage agitated patients. In 2005, Eli Lilly placed a warning on olanzapine's prescribing information following post-marketing reports of fatal drug reactions when intramuscular olanzapine was used in the setting of benzodiazepines. Data is lacking examining this drug combination. A medication use evaluation was conducted at a county psychiatric hospital surveying the usage of concomitant intramuscular olanzapine and lorazepam from October 1, 2016, to July 20, 2017. A literature search was conducted to review available evidence. Ninety-one instances of the drug combination were discovered, with no serious adverse events following administration. Of these 91 patients, 41 received both medications within 60 minutes of each other. No instances of hypotension, bradycardia, bradypnea, or oxygen desaturation occurred following administration. The literature review yielded 1 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 3 retrospective chart reviews, and several case studies. Data detailing a causal relationship between olanzapine/benzodiazepine combinations and serious adverse effects is lacking. Available evidence does not consistently support a strong cause and effect relationship. The results of this medication use evaluation are not consistent with the Food and Drug Administration warning. Further controlled research is needed to help define the actual risk of using concomitant intramuscular olanzapine and benzodiazepines.Abstract
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Aspects of self-stigma and medication-related stigma among individuals with depressive disorders remain largely unexplored. The primary objective of this study is to highlight and characterize self-stigma and medication-related stigma experiences of antidepressant users. This is a secondary analysis of data obtained from PhotoVoice studies examining psychotropic medication experiences. Transcripts of reflections from 12 individuals self-reporting a depressive disorder diagnosis and receipt of a prescription for an antidepressant were included. A directed content analysis approach based on expansion of the Self-Stigma of Depression Scale and an iterative process of identification of medication-stigma and stigma-resistance were used. Total mentions of self-stigma, stigma resistance, medication stigma, and underlying themes were tallied and evaluated. Self-stigma was mentioned a total of 100 times with at least 2 mentions per participant. Self-blame was the most prominent construct of self-stigma and was mentioned nearly twice as often as any other self-stigma construct. Most participants also made mentions of self-stigma resistance. Half of the individual participants mentioned stigma resistance more times than they mentioned self-stigma, which suggests some surmounting of self-stigma. Medication-related stigma was also prominent, denoting negativity about the presence of medications in one's life. Self-stigma related to self-blame may be problematic for antidepressant users. Identification and measurement of stigma resistance, especially in peer interactions, may represent a promising concept in overcoming self-stigma. Future work should explore emphasizing self-blame aspects when designing interventions to reduce self-stigma among individuals with depressive disorders and explore development of tools to measure stigma resistance.Abstract
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With the opioid epidemic creating a group of patients with unique health care needs, pharmacists have an opportunity to be a good resource for patients recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD). To accomplish this, it is essential that pharmacists are knowledgeable and unbiased toward this patient population. Because the curriculum in place to obtain a PharmD at Drake University does not include in-depth information on substance use disorders, study investigators offered students an opportunity to receive more intensive education. Faculty members at Drake University provided didactic and panel discussion presentations on topics such as opioid pharmacology, OUD, and treatment options. The students were assessed for their perception of knowledge and stigma before and after the summit by using a 5-point Likert scale to measure their attitudes toward 10 statements. Total knowledge scores showed a significant change of 3.1, indicating an increase in perceived understanding of materials presented (P < .0001). Total stigma scores also changed by 1.4, illustrating a statistically significant decrease in negative perceptions (P = .0198). By providing more in-depth education, the summit showed that increasing pharmacy student knowledge about OUD and its treatment may decrease associated stigma.Abstract
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Evaluation of perceptions and knowledge of mental illness in the United States through crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is a method of data collection with possible benefits in assessing perceptions of mental illness in a large US population. The objective was to describe perceptions and trends of stigma surrounding mental illness in the United States using crowdsourcing. An online survey was conducted evaluating adults in the United States recruited via the online resource Amazon Mechanical Turk. Questions evaluated demographics and perceptions of mental illness. Survey data were adjusted for demographic variables and compared via logistic regression. Respondents (n = 1422) were predominately 18 to 30 years of age (n = 743; 52.3%) and white (n = 1101; 77.4%). Over half reported an individual close to them had mental illness (n = 932; 65.5%), and more than one quarter (n = 397; 27.9%) reported having a current or previous mental illness. Non-whites were less likely to agree that: medications are effective (odds ratio [OR] 0.63); they would be comfortable around a coworker with mental illness (OR 0.66); and mental illness is inheritable (OR 0.74). They are also more likely to agree that mental illness is preventable (OR 1.49). Individuals reporting mental illness were more likely to agree that medications (OR 1.34; 95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.74) and talk therapy (OR 1.46; 95% confidence interval 1.12 to 1.90) are effective. Those reporting some or no college were more likely to agree that the United States has good access to mental health treatment. Crowdsourcing may be an effective way to obtain information regarding demographics, stigma, and mental illness. Personal experiences with mental illness, ethnicity, and educational level appear to continue to impact perceptions of mental illness.Abstract
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Pharmacogenomic tests relevant to neuropsychiatric medications have been clinically available for more than a decade, but the utility of regular testing is still unknown. Tests available include both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic targets. The potential practice benefits vary with each target. A 10-year literature review was completed utilizing the PubMed database to identify articles relating to the specific pharmacogenomic targets discussed. Further article selection was based on author review for clinical utility. The clinical dosing guidance available for neuropsychiatric medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants with varying genotypes is useful and has strong evidence to support testing, but it is limited to mainly pharmacokinetic application. Pharmacodynamic targets are gaining additional evidence with increased research, and although the mechanisms behind the potential interactions are scientifically sound, the bridge to clinical practice application is still lacking. Although the benefits of decreasing adverse reactions and improving response time are appealing, clinicians may not utilize pharmacogenomic testing in routine practice due to several barriers. Further clinical guidance and studies are needed to support testing for other neuropsychiatric medications and targets.Abstract
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Ziconotide is an intrathecally administered medication indicated for the treatment of severe chronic pain in patients who are intolerant of or refractory to other treatment options. A black box warning is included in the packaging and states ziconotide is contraindicated in patients with a preexisting history of psychosis. Patients taking ziconotide should be monitored for evidence of cognitive impairment, hallucinations, or changes in mood, and ziconotide should be discontinued if neurological or psychiatric signs and symptoms appear. We present a case of a 49-year-old white male with no previous neuropsychiatric history who received ziconotide for several years before he developed command auditory hallucinations within 24 hours of a dose increase. Upon admission to the emergency room, the patient's pain management physician was contacted and the ziconotide dose was decreased and eventually discontinued. Because of a continuation of symptoms, the patient was transferred from the emergency room to an acute care psychiatric hospital where he was started on risperidone 1 mg orally at bedtime. At discharge, the patient was noted to be in good behavioral control without any hallucinations. The patient was encouraged to follow up with his pain management physician to determine if ziconotide should be reconsidered.Abstract
Lamotrigine (LTG) is associated with the potential for a life-threatening rash (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis). The incidence has been linked to rapid titration and an interaction with valproic acid that can increase the level of LTG. Providers often have difficulty discriminating between serious versus benign rashes, and the package insert recommends discontinuing the medication at the first sign of a rash. Therefore, many patients end up being taken off LTG when it may have been effective for them. We present a case where LTG is reintroduced with a faster initial titration than what is noted in the literature after development of a rash. This case is also unique in that the patient had been on LTG for years prior to emergence of the rash and demonstrates that retrials can be successful.Abstract
Clozapine remains the definitive gold standard for treatment-resistant schizophrenia despite limitations in use because of hematological abnormalities. Neutropenia or leukopenia are often treated with interruption of clozapine treatment, frequently resulting in clinical decompensation, hospitalization, increased burden to patient care, and increased risk of suicide. Colony-stimulating factors, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factors and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors, are cytokines that stimulate proliferation and differentiation of myeloid precursor cells. Their use in the prevention and treatment of clozapine-associated neutropenia presents an alternative to clozapine discontinuation in certain cases. We present a case report of successful periodic granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor use with clozapine in a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, as well as discussion of a practical approach to patients with possible clozapine-induced neutropenia or leukopenia.Abstract