The Carlat Psychiatry Podcast
Top 10 Findings: Lithium, Lumateperone, and Lavender
Oct 21, 2024
Recent research reshapes our understanding of lithium, suggesting it may not cause weight gain and could even aid in weight loss. Discover the promising role of lumateperone in treating major depression, especially for patients unresponsive to standard treatments. The effectiveness of lavender extract, Silexan, is also explored for anxiety relief. Additionally, a comparison of S-ketamine and quetiapine XR sheds light on options for treatment-resistant depression. These insights could change clinical practices in managing mood disorders.
24:42
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Quick takeaways
- Recent studies reveal that lithium may not cause significant weight gain, countering previously held beliefs and showcasing its safety for bipolar disorder treatment.
- Silexan, a lavender extract, proves effective for anxiety and depressive symptoms, offering a well-tolerated alternative for patients preferring natural treatments.
Deep dives
Comparative Efficacy of Lumatepirone and Lorazodone
Lumatepirone and lorazodone emerge as two effective treatment options for bipolar depression, both showing good tolerability and similar effect sizes in clinical use. Despite their efficacy, neither medication addresses manic episodes, which limits their utility in broader bipolar treatment regimens. Lumatepirone has demonstrated promise as an adjunct for unipolar depression, showing effectiveness in patients who have failed prior antidepressant trials, although full FDA approval is still pending. Dosing strategies suggest starting at a lower dose to mitigate potential side effects like fatigue and dizziness, before reaching the target dose of 42 milligrams.
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