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Depression on May 9, 2009 with
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Eli Lilly has gained FDA approval for its combination psychotropic medication product Symbyax to be used in the management of treatment-resistant depression. Symbyax was previously approved only for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder.
The drug is a combination of the antipsychotic Zyprexa (olanzapine) with the antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine) and is now the first medication approved for treatment-resistant depression. Patients that have not responded to a minimum of two separate trials of different antidepressants over an adequate trial period for each (four to six weeks) are considered treatment-resistant.
The “Zyprexa (olanzapine)” component of this drug molecule is linked to weight gain, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia.
Joseph Wegmann, R.Ph., LCSW is a licensed clinical pharmacist and a clinical social worker with more than thirty years of experience in the field of psychopharmacology. His diverse professional background in psychopharmacology and counseling affords him a unique perspective on medication management issues. In addition to consulting with numerous psychiatric facilities, he has presented psychopharmacology seminars to thousands of clinicians in 46 states.
Joe has also served as a Clinical Director of Pharmacy Services at a major metropolitan area hospital and as a Regional Director of Hospital Services for Premier Healthcare Corporation. He has served as Adjunct Professor of Psychopharmacology in the graduate School of Social Work at Southern University of New Orleans for 16 years and maintains an active psychotherapy practice specializing in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Joe is the author of Psychopharmacology: Straight Talk on Mental Health Medications, published by PESI, Inc.