Posted by jealibeanz on October 23, 2006, at 19:12:00
In reply to Re: Reuters Newsbrief- EMSAM » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on October 23, 2006, at 10:50:40
As posted on Medscape:
Transdermal Delivery of Selegiline Safe, Effective
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Oct 18 - A transdermal formulation of the monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor selegiline allows the antidepressant to bypass the gastrointestinal system. As a result, researchers report, systemic absorption is better and more drug is available to cross the blood-brain barrier, which leads to more effective management of major depressive disorder (MDD).Principal investigator Dr. Alan D. Feiger at the University of Colorado in Denver and colleagues studied the safety and efficacy of transdermal selegiline in 265 patients with MDD in a randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-titration trial.
Patients received selegiline 6 mg/day or placebo initially. The dose was increased to 9 mg/day and then 12 mg/day, as needed to control symptoms of depression during the 8-week study. Selegiline was delivered by transdermal patches containing 20 mg/20 cm, 30 mg/30 cm or 40 mg/40 cm; these sizes on average deliver 6, 9 or 12 mg daily.
The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Rated, were assessed at baseline and at weeks 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8.
The team reports that active treatment was significantly more effective than placebo in controlling core symptoms of MDD on all three rating scales.
The most common adverse effects were local reactions to the patches, occurring in 40% of patients on selegiline and 30% of patients given placebo patches, and insomnia, occurring in 30% of active-treatment patients and 14% of placebo patients.
Patients were not placed on dietary restrictions and there were no instances of tyramine-related hypertensive crises, although Dr. Feiger and colleagues point out that the study was probably too short to adequately assess this. No other safety concerns arose.
The investigators note that the safety profile of transdermal selegiline is much better than that of oral MAO inhibitors.
J Clin Psychiatry 2006;67:1354-1361.
>>>> It's nothing new or significant in terms or what we already know, but the significance lies in the fact that it's beginning to be marketed to physicians and has been proven safe and effective so far. That was proven in studies, but most doctors don't like to prescribe new medications until it's been available to the general public for a while. It's only been about 6 months now, but at least this is some evidence that this hasn't had horrible dire side effects.
poster:jealibeanz
thread:696950
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061020/msgs/697085.html