Hypomineralisation and drugs used during pregnancy and infancy

HSPM  Molar-Incisor hypomineralisation

Manas Dave looks at this systematic review of the association between hypomineralised second primary molars (HSPM) and drug use during pregnancy and the first year of life

[read the full story...]

Prescribing lithium for bipolar disorder: are we too scared?

Doctor writing prescription

Deenan Edward and Suhana Ahmed summarise a Scottish study of prescribing for bipolar disorder between 2009-2016, which identified a clear trend towards decreasing lithium use.

[read the full story...]

Commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs: do they work?

4932655275_7811863fe8_o

John Baker summarises a review of commonly prescribed medication that covers seven psychiatric drugs, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, methylphenidate and cholinesterase inhibitors.

[read the full story...]

Which (if any) drugs should we use for agitated or aggressive behaviour in dementia?

shutterstock_135340304

This is a dilemma I frequently face when I am called out to see someone with dementia on the ward or living in a nursing home. On the one hand I am thinking that anything I use can potentially have serious side-effects and will probably lead to increased health risks and increased mortality. On the [read the full story…]

Foetal exposure to sodium valproate is linked with autism risk

Pregnant belly painting

The risks of congenital malformations and impact of cognitive development after foetal exposure to anti-epileptic drugs has been known for some time. Sodium valproate is a frequently used drug for epilepsy and other disorders (including bipolar disorder and migraine). The researchers aimed to examine the link between foetal exposure and subsequent development of autism. Methods [read the full story…]