February 20, 2007

Market Analyst Cognitive Disorder

That's right. I have created a new DSM disorder. It is to be used in cases such as this:

"Decision Resources, Inc., one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that AstraZeneca's Seroquel will overtake GlaxoSmithKline's Lamictal as the gold standard in the treatment of bipolar depression by 2010. According to the new DecisionBase report entitled Bipolar Depression: Turning Physician Insight into Projected Market Share, Seroquel's advantages over Lamictal include the more profound effect on depressive symptoms seen in short-term trials. The drug's efficacy on this measure differentiates it from other therapies, according to thought-leading psychiatrists, and the importance assigned to this measure by prescribing psychiatrists drives Seroquel's product score above Lamictal's."

OK, I had no idea Lamictal was a "gold standard" in treating bipolar depression. And, as rotten a drug as I believe Seroquel to be in anything other than short-term use, of course it outperforms Lamictal in short-term treatment situations: Lamictal takes about 8 weeks of up-tapering to achieve a therapeutic dose, whereas Seroquel can get there inside of a week.

Um, this bit of PR hype raises serious concerns on several levels and highlights a need for long-term treatment in this troubling disorder of market analyst cognition which afflicts tens of millions worldwide.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at February 20, 2007 11:39 AM
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Comments

This is unbelievable. It just shows the that the psychiatric medication market is alive and well, and will do anything to make a buck off of innocent people. (your welcome Big Pharma).

I am glad I have an open-discussion with my psychiatrist, giving him details from my perspective as a patient on these 2 meds.

I am also appreciative that my psych agreed with my choice of using Lamictal, and how he told me Lamictal works well for bipolar depression.

Just in case a marketing rep for Astra Zeneca is reading this:

Don't get too excited. I for one, can tell you Seroquel sucks, and Lamictal works.(long term use is key here.)

Posted by: Stephany at February 20, 2007 12:09 PM

"according to thought-leading psychiatrists"

What is a thought-leading psychiatrist?

Posted by: lurker at February 20, 2007 02:34 PM

Off the cuff here; but it is anyone who thinks with a degree framed on the wall behind their desk.
Or, a consumer with the same knowledge, and a degree behind their desk.

I consider myself a thought-leader in many topics.

Posted by: Stephany at February 20, 2007 05:48 PM

Is there somewhere on your site that I can read your opinion and concerns over Seroquel?

Thanks

Posted by: Joy at February 20, 2007 07:53 PM

Ok, don't hate me.

I, um, "heart" Lamictal. (Mainly because of the weight-loss side effect.)

It was prescribed to aid in my depression, but instead, diminshed my mania. I haven't had a manic episode for the past month. (That's a helluva long time for me.)

I don't know about Lamictal being the "gold standard," but after comparing it to Seroquel — my doc prescribed this to treat my mania, ironically — it seems like a total gem. I also read somewhere that a Lamictal clinical trial lasted 18 months. (I'd have to dig up that info somewhere to back it up. I may be confusing it with Seroquel, but I certainly hope not.)

Don't get me wrong, here. I think all meds are dubious. But if a doc needs to prescribe a med for bp, I'd throw support behind Lamictal. However, it's not proven to treat psychosis since it's not an antipsychotic. I think my major issue lies with antipsychotics because the side effects are so outrageous that for some people, it's not even worth it.

If you want, you can see the side effect comparison I came up with a while ago (http://deepintro.typepad.com/depression_introspection/2007/01/quetiapine_come.html). That's basically how I figured out whether to go on Seroquel or Lamictal. My doc also gave me the option of choosing lithium, but I have no time to get my blood levels measured constantly.

None of these are a magic bullet, but it's the only med that's come close to helping me. But Effexor did too. Should I come off Lamictal, you'll certainly be hearing about the fun withdrawal symptoms. [/sarcasm]

Posted by: Marissa Miller at February 26, 2007 12:08 PM

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