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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Cecilia on April 22, 2003, at 3:59:35
I just read that Merck has just received FDA approval for a new drug called Emend for
chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting that is also in Phase III trials for depression. Anyone have any more info about this drug? Cecilia
Posted by jrbecker on April 22, 2003, at 13:16:50
In reply to Emend (Aprepitant), posted by Cecilia on April 22, 2003, at 3:59:35
Aprepitant is the first of the Neurokinin/Substance P antagonists to reach the market. Although it is not approved for depression currently, some docs might be willing to write a script for it now (this is a common occurance for antiseizure meds being prescribed for bipolar disorder). Within less than a year's time, it will also be approved for depression. In '04 amd '05, a few more NK-1 and NK-3 antagonists will arrive on the market. Originally, the drugs were being researched as analgesics since Substance P is known to cause the sensation of pain. What was found later is that these drugs modulate the release of serotonin, and to a much lesser extent norepinephrine. Are they a better class of drugs than the SSRIs? Too early to tell. The one great benefit might be the little incidence of sexual side effect measured. The NK antagonists, do however, come with their own set of side effects, most of which are similar to the SSRIs. What depressive types might benefit the most from this new class? Probably the melancholic types (non-atypical) who haven't responded well to the SSRIs. They might also have a role for anxious-depressive types and possibly for schizophrenia as well.
For more info, check out...
http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/2002_05/05_02_psychotropic.asp
http://www.psychiatrist.com/supplenet/v63s11/v63s1101.pdf
http://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/brainstorm/br6003.htm
> I just read that Merck has just received FDA approval for a new drug called Emend for
> chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting that is also in Phase III trials for depression. Anyone have any more info about this drug? Cecilia
This is the end of the thread.
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