Psychiatry's Swiss Army Knife

Not about to be left behind, Jannsen Pharmaceutica unveiled a small study involving patients with treatment-resistant depression, 80 percent who had failed to respond to Celexa. When 0.25 to two mg (low dose) of open label Risperdal were added, 48.5 percent of these patients responded after four weeks, with a partial response at day four. At a symposium sponsored by Jannsen, Charles Nemeroff MD, PhD of Emory University had more news on the study, this time with more patients, indicating "ironclad evidence of efficacy," and that for treatment-resistant depression, combination antipsychotic-antidepressant treatment has "in my practice moved up to a number one strategy."

Jannsen also posted a second study, which found a "robust early effect" for a Risperdal-Paxil combination in patients with bipolar depression. Meanwhile, a Pfizer-funded pilot study found promising results using combination 40 to 80 mg (normal dose) Geodon and Zoloft for treatment-resistant depression. Last but not least, an independent retrospective case review found six patients with mood and anxiety disorders doing better on SSRIs augmented with 15 to 30 mg (normal dose) of Abilify.

Clearly, in finding new uses for its biggest money-maker, Eli Lilly is suited up and ready to play. The other pharmaceuticals are a year behind and looking to gain ground fast.

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