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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 40. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 6:22:14
Do any of you pdoc's share their info or hope for new medication to be released in the future?
Pristig has been approved, but who cares, it's the sister drug of effexor.
Gepirone ER, 5-HT1A partial agonist, depression/anxiety, has a sNDA subsmitted (it looks a lot to me like Buspar... yuck.)
SR 58611 beta-3-adrenoceptor agonist, by Sanofi-Aventis Depression, anxiety , has A supplemental NDA is possible in 2007.
Saredutant (SR 48968) NK2 antagonist Sanofi-Aventis, for Depression, anxiety , is in Phase III.
Casopitant, GW679769, NK1 antagonist, by GSK for Depression, anxiety, emesis, is in Phase III.
Corlux ® (AKA mifepristone or RU-486) Glucocorticoid receptor type II (GRII) antagonist, progesterone receptor antagonist Corcept Psychosis, depression NDA Submitted 10/06 (I feel like this could help anxiety, since corticol is involved. The have an FDA fast track grant.)
Vynase was approved for child ADHD, and is under testing for adult approval. Yay! But I don't understand the mechnism, or when I should be released.
Do any of you docs talk to you about these things, their thoughts on the drugs, and when to expect them to be out?
Posted by linkadge on March 18, 2007, at 8:44:57
In reply to Pdoc's thought about up and coming drugs, posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 6:22:14
>I feel like this could help anxiety, since >corticol is involved. The have an FDA fast track >grant.)
Fast track....heh. This one has been "fast tracked" for the past 10 years. I wonder what fast tracked means.
Linkadge
Posted by naughtypuppy on March 18, 2007, at 10:07:53
In reply to Re: Pdoc's thought about up and coming drugs, posted by linkadge on March 18, 2007, at 8:44:57
> >I feel like this could help anxiety, since >corticol is involved. The have an FDA fast track >grant.)
>
> Fast track....heh. This one has been "fast tracked" for the past 10 years. I wonder what fast tracked means.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>Probably about the same time as the patents on the current meds run out. I'm so cynical!
Posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2007, at 15:53:53
In reply to Re: Pdoc's thought about up and coming drugs, posted by naughtypuppy on March 18, 2007, at 10:07:53
Saturn but probably right. Love Phillipa
Posted by stargazer on March 20, 2007, at 8:44:33
In reply to Re: Pdoc's thought about up and coming drugs » naughtypuppy, posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2007, at 15:53:53
The last thing I'm interested in is what are the latest meds out there for depression. My feeling is this only causes more lost time with drug trials and unknown side effects and more profits for the drug compnies and less quality of life for me.
Frankly, I'm so disgusted with all the latest and greatest meds I've tried in the past 20 years and now they're saying most of the SSRI's were useless for so many of us. Made me suicidal too way before they admitted to this side effect. It wasn't my depression getting worse it was the med making me worse. You're never going to get the companies to tell the truth with these meds. That only comes out later, after the damage is done.
Cynical, you bet, but that is how I feel. Some of the best meds are the oldest ones (MAO's, ect)and the drug companies are now paying the generic manufacturers to not make the generics since they want to keep the profits themselves.
Greed is all I see lately and although it seems like all the new developments will help, I don't believe it anymore. I used to think positively about the newer drugs coming out. Not anymore, all those new drugs have only clouded the path and wasted more time finding the right drug.
The only way to get an answer will be if they come up with better diagnostic tests to determine which meds will work, not trying so many randomly. That is a crapshoot for many of us, who don't have the time and energy to do this anymore. With my history (20+) I have seen it all.
One of the best meds I was on in 1994 was discontinued by Roche, who felt that Marplan could be replaced by the "newer, better" SSRI meds that had come onto the market. Well, my life went downhill and never fully came back from that point. I have tried every (almost) new drug out there since '94 and none of them worked as well as Marplan. I have lost so much time and faith in the system that I don't believe anything I am told anymore.
I still think the older meds are still the best for so many of us who have long term resistent depression, which is a good number of us here. Why do you think so many are taking MAO's despite, their side effect profile?
Sorry for my rant, but I am not impressed with the pharmaceutical advances in psychiatry. I don't think we are that much further along, despite the numbers of drugs that have emerged in the last 20 years. From my standpoint anyway.
In my opinion, less is more. The sheer numbers of meds just make the whole process more confusing and frustrating and postpone finding an the right answer.
Stargazer
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 20, 2007, at 10:20:57
In reply to No hope in more useless drugs to test on us, posted by stargazer on March 20, 2007, at 8:44:33
Stargazer, sometimes I feel sick to death about it too. If I hear of a new drug that may work for me, I act as if it might be 'The One'. Almost like a new and exciting date. Many times left unsatisfied. I'd rate my cocktail at 75 percent. So Im still 'looking'. I'm almost manic about hearing of new 'possibilities'.
Posted by jealibeanz on March 20, 2007, at 10:20:59
In reply to Re: Pdoc's thought about up and coming drugs, posted by linkadge on March 18, 2007, at 8:44:57
> >I feel like this could help anxiety, since >corticol is involved. The have an FDA fast track >grant.)
>
> Fast track....heh. This one has been "fast tracked" for the past 10 years. I wonder what fast tracked means.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>Really? Wow... I guess fast tracked means maybe they'll release the drug in 15 years instead of 20. That's sad.
I don't exactly know what it means. I know a lot of HIV/AIDS meds are fast-tracked. It's supposed to help them before released more quickly than would occur during the usual process, obviously. But I don't understand what regulations are changed. They still have to test and approve them. It takes a long time.
Posted by FredPotter on March 20, 2007, at 20:56:11
In reply to No hope in more useless drugs to test on us, posted by stargazer on March 20, 2007, at 8:44:33
I try not to feel like you but it's tempting, esp when I heard from my pharmacist that Pfizer had reformulated Nardil in 2003. It's not so homogeneous, so some pills contain more than others. I see it as a way of not letting it get generic now that patients are returning to it as the best AD Fred
Posted by FredPotter on March 20, 2007, at 21:00:51
In reply to No hope in more useless drugs to test on us, posted by stargazer on March 20, 2007, at 8:44:33
>and now they're saying most of the SSRI's were useless for so many of us
I guess there are a lot of people who've found them useful so we don't hear about them. Short term scripts - improvement - perhaps they'd have got better anyway
Fred
Posted by stargazer on March 20, 2007, at 21:01:23
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs to test on us » stargazer, posted by TheMeanReds on March 20, 2007, at 10:20:57
Really, I feel the opposite that you do. I don't get excited about all of the lastest meds. I don't want to know what is coming out. I used to feel excited but length of time with trying meds probably plays a big role in my pessimistic attitude...SG
Posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2007, at 21:57:23
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs to test on us » stargazer, posted by TheMeanReds on March 20, 2007, at 10:20:57
Stargazer I'm worried about you you sound so hopeless. Write me. love Phillipa
Posted by stargazer on March 21, 2007, at 9:09:07
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs to test on us » TheMeanReds, posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2007, at 21:57:23
Actually I think I'm being more realistic, you would know where I'm at if you had tried drugs for 20 years, always being told that they were the latest, greatest, etc. You get very cynical, but more realistic too. It makes you fight harder, but not believe everything you are told.
How about the SSRI's and what they now know about them. Yes, they work for many in their first or second bouts with depression, but not as your depression gets worse as you have it longer and longer. And I still think the older meds work as well or better for more resistent cases. That's why I'm so angry that the drug companies elect to discontinue meds, or change them, when they no longer make a profit for them. This was done with both Marplan and Nardil, dooming those on them to more suffering. Marplan was discontinued in 1994 and I still consider it that last good AD that worked for me. Everything since then is just a patchwork of meds with marginal results.
It's almost as if they don't want people to stay on the MAO's, knowing they work, but knowing there is no profit for them if people use those generic drugs, rather than the newer (brand) ones, that make them BIG money.
Have you seen the huge number of prescriptions written for the new drugs, followed by drops due to the ineffectiveness or SE's of the meds. Look at all the SE's of the AP's that now have come to light, years later...
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 10:49:47
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs/TheMean reds, posted by stargazer on March 20, 2007, at 21:01:23
That is actually one of the reasons I like this board. People who have 'been there' and 'done that' can have alot of wisdom. I only have 5 years under my belt with meds.
> Really, I feel the opposite that you do. I don't get excited about all of the lastest meds. I don't want to know what is coming out. I used to feel excited but length of time with trying meds probably plays a big role in my pessimistic attitude...SG
Posted by Declan on March 21, 2007, at 16:29:29
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs/TheMean reds » stargazer, posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 10:49:47
If you already have a screwed up chemical balance in your brain (or whatever), it can't be good for you to try one med after another.
Liable to screw up your brain chemistry more.
And you'll be lucky to get it right without lots of trials.
There's lots of people who believe they have been changed permanently from the trial of a particular med.
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 17:55:43
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs/TheMean reds, posted by Declan on March 21, 2007, at 16:29:29
I have learned ssris dont work for me, within the 5 years. I dont touch them anymore. So, I do know that for myself. I was only trying to say that I read posts of people who have tried alot because I have not. I didnt mean it as an insult to their minds or their decision making skills.
Posted by Declan on March 21, 2007, at 20:00:45
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs/TheMean reds » Declan, posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 17:55:43
No, of course not, I understand etc etc.
This medium is so liable to produce misunderstanding.
I've never tried an SSRI myself. My chemistry is screwed up enough as it is.
Posted by Phillipa on March 21, 2007, at 20:16:53
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs/TheMean reds » TheMeanReds, posted by Declan on March 21, 2007, at 20:00:45
Hence why I've stuck to benzos all these years and deal with the down periods with excercise. love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on March 22, 2007, at 2:23:32
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs/TheMean reds, posted by Declan on March 21, 2007, at 16:29:29
> If you already have a screwed up chemical balance in your brain (or whatever), it can't be good for you to try one med after another.
> Liable to screw up your brain chemistry more.
> And you'll be lucky to get it right without lots of trials.
> There's lots of people who believe they have been changed permanently from the trial of a particular med.
This board period has seen some of the most negativity I have seen on the board in some time towards medications and psychiatry on part of a board that I thought was supposed to discuss at least something good about them. What is the point of even talking about them? We look forward to the next big thing, due to come in 20xx, and then complain about side effects as soon as it comes out of the pharmacy. It leaves me with more disillusion than I already have. The negativity pervades. I used to come here to discuss medications and my illness and get something out of it. Now my depression is just increased by endless posts about how medications, psychiatry, and science are utterly useless or even worse. Its 2007. We live in 2007. This is the state of things at the moment and they're by no means perfect but they're certainly better than when the aunt I never knew blew her head off. The last time I checked nobody was being injected with insulin or stabbed in the head.
Posted by stargazer on March 22, 2007, at 9:02:20
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs/TheMean reds, posted by yxibow on March 22, 2007, at 2:23:32
Yxibow...You're right. It's not fair for my negativity to bring others down. I do not want that effect. I have to find a way to express my feelings in a less negative way. I want to present things realistically without being so negative. I will try to do this but I don't want to sugar coat either when things were not so happy.
I will try and do this so as not to discourage others from trying and we know everyones' experiences differ greatly.
SG
Posted by yxibow on March 22, 2007, at 13:31:13
In reply to No hope in more useless drugs/Negativity/yxibow, posted by stargazer on March 22, 2007, at 9:02:20
> Yxibow...You're right. It's not fair for my negativity to bring others down. I do not want that effect. I have to find a way to express my feelings in a less negative way. I want to present things realistically without being so negative. I will try to do this but I don't want to sugar coat either when things were not so happy.
>
> I will try and do this so as not to discourage others from trying and we know everyones' experiences differ greatly.
>
> SGOh gosh no -- I wasn't saying to sugar coat things, please bring out unhappiness if its there and also bring out when things do work, I also like to hear that.
I was projecting myself somewhat I guess because things are in the air a bit as of late, it was just a general feeling not directed at anyone and thats why I didnt do an "add name of previous poster".
-- tidings
Posted by stargazer on March 22, 2007, at 23:18:41
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs/Negativity/yxibo » stargazer, posted by yxibow on March 22, 2007, at 13:31:13
I try and present everything as I experience it; the good, the bad and the ugly. They're all part of this process and I don't think many here have escaped seeing alot of what I've seen.
But I know my attitude has been real negative and I have to watch myself with that since I don't want to take away any hope that others have. That is too important to keep as long as you have decided that med trials are the route to go.
I'm not against med trials, I'm against trying so many things without a plan or logic behind which med to try. The process gets to be too frustrating and feels like experimentation, not science. When they work, you don't care how the med is chosen, when they don't you get cynical and angry, like I have been the past few months.
Also, some times the meds can make you angry and that recently happened.That's when you're on the 4th or 5th med and nothing has made any difference in your situation.
Let see, since last year, I have tried without any success...Marplan, Risperdal, Seroquel, Lamictal, Cymbalta...a bit of improvement with Emsam, Emsam with Provigil (dizziness), now Emsam with Abilify...I'm getting a glimmer that something may be starting to work with this combo, keep your fingers crossed for me.
Stargazer
Posted by yxibow on March 23, 2007, at 1:11:06
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs/Negativity/yxibo, posted by stargazer on March 22, 2007, at 23:18:41
> I try and present everything as I experience it; the good, the bad and the ugly. They're all part of this process and I don't think many here have escaped seeing alot of what I've seen.
>
> But I know my attitude has been real negative and I have to watch myself with that since I don't want to take away any hope that others have. That is too important to keep as long as you have decided that med trials are the route to go.
Med trials are a very valuable part of treatment for a disorder I never bargained for that has made life the loneliest time I can think. Life changing OCD and dysthymia seem to pale in comparison to this. Or maybe by not fighting the loneliness and depression I've added to a disorder that doesn't fit any category and thus every medication I take is off label. There's been only one other person on this board who has had a form of my condition -- Somatiform disorder.But they're not the only part -- doing things, hard work, therapy is a valuable part of treatment too.
> I'm not against med trials, I'm against trying so many things without a plan or logic behind which med to try. The process gets to be too frustrating and feels like experimentation, not science. When they work, you don't care how the med is chosen, when they don't you get cynical and angry, like I have been the past few months.
> Also, some times the meds can make you angry and that recently happened.
>I fully understand.
> That's when you're on the 4th or 5th med and nothing has made any difference in your situation.
The trouble in a way is I'm on more than 5 meds...
But I also fully grasp this.
> Let see, since last year, I have tried without any success...Marplan, Risperdal, Seroquel, Lamictal, Cymbalta...a bit of improvement with Emsam, Emsam with Provigil (dizziness), now Emsam with Abilify...I'm getting a glimmer that something may be starting to work with this combo, keep your fingers crossed for me.
I will.
I'm getting a glimmer that something in therapy is starting to work but then things get turned upside down a bit when you try to reduce medication. Of course I want the elimination of this disorder. But if I can't, at least I want it to reduce to such a whisper that it doesn't occupy a substantial part of my life, that distractions in my vision and auditory space (this isn't psychosis) return to a noise level. And that I gain more satisfaction from life and finally become my own person and gain my nest egg and all of that, that I and everyone else here at my stage of life deserve.
> Stargazer
Posted by rvanson on March 23, 2007, at 9:34:25
In reply to No hope in more useless drugs to test on us, posted by stargazer on March 20, 2007, at 8:44:33
> One of the best meds I was on in 1994 was discontinued by Roche, who felt that Marplan could be replaced by the "newer, better" SSRI meds that had come onto the market. Well, my life went downhill and never fully came back from that point. I have tried every (almost) new drug out there since '94 and none of them worked as well as Marplan. I have lost so much time and faith in the system that I don't believe anything I am told anymore.
>
> I still think the older meds are still the best for so many of us who have long term resistent depression, which is a good number of us here. Why do you think so many are taking MAO's despite, their side effect profile?
>
> Sorry for my rant, but I am not impressed with the pharmaceutical advances in psychiatry. I don't think we are that much further along, despite the numbers of drugs that have emerged in the last 20 years. From my standpoint anyway.
>
> In my opinion, less is more. The sheer numbers of meds just make the whole process more confusing and frustrating and postpone finding an the right >answer.
I agree with you, Stargazer.For me it was 1985, when the A/D "Merital" was released, and then suddenly pulled off the shelfs after only a few months due to a rare side-effect that I never experienced. Funny, it was marketed in Europe for 8 years previously with few problems.
Nothing but a MAOI has even come close to Merital in helping with my adhedonia and now they are talking about "triple-reuptake" inhibitors by 2010?
Just more blood $$ in big pharmas' pockets and these drugs will still have lots of unreported side-effects, despite all thier slick ads.
I am no longer waiting for the "new drug" to come along.
Posted by KayeBaby on March 23, 2007, at 19:05:27
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs to test on us, posted by rvanson on March 23, 2007, at 9:34:25
My neuropsych mentioned that he took Merital until it was removed. I asked him why it was removed and he told me that it could cause a high fever and the when people would experience this rare side effect the Dr's wouldn't know what was causing it or what to do.
I said that now they would know and stop the drug. I don't recall that it was fatal or common.
I said that there are worse side effects from currently used drugs and that it didn't seem to make much sense. My Doc shrugged.He liked the drug personally.
Is it still in use in other countries?
Peace,
Kaye
Posted by stargazer on March 24, 2007, at 7:28:14
In reply to Re: No hope in more useless drugs to test on us, posted by rvanson on March 23, 2007, at 9:34:25
Do you remember the generic (chemical)name for Merital? Just trying to refresh my memory and see if I recall it.
Thanks.SG
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