Postpartum Pill Price Tag; Misleading Ketamine Ads; Mental Disorders Cut Lifespans

— News and commentary from the psychiatry world

by
Kristen Monaco, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today
November 8, 2023

A full 14-day course of the oral postpartum depression pill zuranolone (Zurzuvae), approved in August, will be priced at $15,900. (Reuters)

Evidence from 118 clinical trials supported the use of oral naltrexone 50 mg per day and acamprosate as first-line therapies for alcohol use disorder. (JAMA)

The VA is considering using psychedelics to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. (CBS News Pittsburgh)

An analysis of ketamine direct-to-consumer advertisements in Maryland showed several misleading representations of treatment safety and efficacy for multiple mental health conditions. (JAMA Network Open)

In other news, ketamine is becoming a more common option for pain control, despite few studies demonstrating its efficacy. (AP)

Walmart plans to roll out “sensory-friendly” shopping hours for customers with autism and ADHD, featuring dimmed lights and less noise. (New York Post)

In its Annual Report to Congress, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force named anxiety disorders, depression, and suicide risk prevention as areas requiring urgent research.

Mental disorders, particularly substance use disorders, were linked with a substantially reduced life expectancy. (eClinicalMedicine)

Inside the controversy of “terminal” anorexia nervosa, for which patients are seeking assisted suicide instead of recovery. (Washington Post)

A long-acting injectable formulation of risperidone significantly delayed relapse among patients with schizophrenia in the phase III RISE trial. (Lancet Psychiatry)

The FDA gave 510(k) clearance to the Modius Sleep device for the treatment of chronic insomnia, Neurovalens announced.