Psychostimulants in Psychiatry

@article{Warneke1990PsychostimulantsIP,
  title={Psychostimulants in Psychiatry},
  author={Lorne B. Warneke},
  journal={The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry},
  year={1990},
  volume={35},
  pages={10 - 3}
}
  • L. Warneke
  • Published 1 February 1990
  • Psychology, Medicine
  • The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
The use of the psychostimulants in psychiatry is reviewed. A brief historical perspective on dextroamphetamine is presented, and a brief review of the psychopharmacology of dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate and magnesium pemoline is given. The literature on the use of stimulants in the treatment of resistant depression, apathetic geriatric patients and patients medically ill with a secondary depression is summarized and two case histories given to illustrate the clinical usefulness of the… 
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49 Citations
Background Citations
8
Methods Citations
1

49 Citations

[Psychostimulants in the treatment of depression].

Psychostimulants in the therapy of treatment-resistant depression Review of the literature and findings from a retrospective study in 65 depressed patients

TLDR
It is concluded that the rapid onset of action (2-3 hours) after administration may help cover the therapeutic latency period of conventional antidepressants and probably potentiates their effect.

The role of psychostimulants in psychogeriatrics: a New Zealand survey

  • B. Ng
  • Psychology, Medicine
  • 2009
TLDR
To ascertain the current prescribing practices of psychostimulants by psychogeriatricians in New Zealand, a large number of doctors believe that dexamphetamine, methylphenidate and modafinil should be considered standard treatments in major depression or other affective disorders.

[Experimental and clinical pharmacology of psychostimulants].

TLDR
Psychostimulants such as methylphenidate have proved to be effective medications used in the treatment of childhood hyperactivity, yet misunderstood, and could prove to be useful for young and older adults, on condition that their target syndromes are studied more thoroughly.

Psychostimulants in supportive care

TLDR
The pharmacology of dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, pemoline, and other psychostimulants, their use in general medicine and cancer care, side effects, and abuse potential are discussed.

Methylphenidate Augmenta on of Fluvoxamine for Treatment-resistant Depression : A Case Report and Review Literature

TLDR
How methylphenidate and other psychostimulants, when used with caution and an appreciation of their potential risk for abuse, may prove to be remarkably effective agents for antidepressant augmentation, including that of partially-effective or ineffective selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors.

[Methylphenidate augmentation of fluvoxamine for treatment-resistant depression: a case report and review literature].

TLDR
How methylphenidate and other psychostimulants, when used with caution and an appreciation of their potential risk for abuse, may prove to be remarkably effective agents for antidepressant augmentation, including that of partially-effective or ineffective selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors.

Psychostimulant Prescriptions by Psychiatrists Higher Than Expected: A Self-Report Survey

TLDR
Psychostimulants are more widely prescribed by psychiatrists in Alberta than indicated in earlier studies and in recommendations for treatment.

Should amphetamines be added to SSRI therapy to enhance the antidepressant effect?

In the past, amphetamines were used more extensively to treat depression than they are now.1 Physicians began to use them less after more-effective drugs were introduced, ie, tricyclic…

The management of treatment-resistant depression in the medically ill.

References

SHOWING 1-10 OF 60 REFERENCES

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TLDR
Generally, the existing studies are old and inadequate, but there is some evidence to support the judicious use of psychostimulants in selected clinical instances of several adult psychiatric syndromes.

The stimulant challenge test in depression.

: The psychostimulants remain controversial agents for the diagnosis and treatment of depression. One promising area of investigation involves the use of a brief trial of a stimulant to predict…

The stimulant challenge test in depression.

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  • Psychology
    The Journal of clinical psychiatry
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TLDR
The literature on the neuroendocrine responses to stimulant administration, direct stimulant effects on mood and activity, and stimulant neurotransmitter effects is summarized to further understanding of stimulant action in relation to affective disorders.

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TLDR
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TLDR
The data tend to support the hypothesis that dextroamphetamine response may predict the therapeutic effects of tricyclic drugs in depressed patients and support the possible significance of alterations of norepinephrine and catecholamine metabolism in at least some forms of depressive illness.

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TLDR
Psychostimulants appear to be a therapeutic option in the medically ill depressed population and may be more rapidly effective with fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants.

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TLDR
The results suggest that psychostimulants deserve further evaluation as antidepressant agents in the geriatric population and methylphenidate's effectiveness as an antidepressant were consistent with the findings of other investigators.

Use of psychostimulants in medically ill depressed patients.

Dr. Sabelli Replies

TLDR
Many clinicians still use methylphenidate as an early adjunct to the treatment of depression to give symptom relief during the time the tricyclics require to produce their positive effect.

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF BENZEDRINE SULFATE: A STUDY OF PATIENTS WITH STATES OF CHRONIC EXHAUSTION, DEPRESSION AND PSYCHONEUROSIS

TLDR
Benzedrine has been utilized particularly in the treatment of congestion of the nasal mucosa, in maintaining blood pressure during spinal anesthesia and in orthostatic hypotension, and for the relief of spasm affecting the gastro-intestinal tract.
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