FDA approves new schizophrenia drug

By Free Republic | Created at 2024-09-27 14:07:40 | Updated at 2024-09-30 21:41:51 3 days ago

FDA approves new schizophrenia drug
UPI ^ | September 26, 2024 | Mark Moran

Posted on 09/27/2024 6:27:02 AM PDT by Red Badger

Sept. 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for adults with schizophrenia, the FDA announced Thursday.

The drug, generically called Cobenfy, is the first oral medication to treat the disease that targets what are known as the brain's cholinergic receptors instead of dopamine receptors, which have been the traditional focus of treatment.

"Schizophrenia is a leading cause of disability worldwide. It is a severe, chronic mental illness that is often damaging to a person's quality of life," said Tiffany Farchione, M.D., director of the Division of Psychiatry, Office of Neuroscience in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "This drug takes the first new approach to schizophrenia treatment in decades. This approval offers a new alternative to the antipsychotic medications people with schizophrenia have previously been prescribed."

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by disrupted thought processes, and can alter perceptions, emotions and social interactions. It can also cause more severe psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations (such as hearing voices), difficulty controlling thoughts and being suspicious of other people, the FDA said.

Roughly 1% of the U.S. population suffers from schizophrenia. 5% of those afflicted die by suicide, according to the FDA. It is considered one of the 15 causes of disability and people who have the disease are more likely to die at a young age.

The drug announcement comes on the heels of news that scientists are using a type of MRI to help determine who might develop treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

The scan -- called a neuromelanin-sensitive MRI -- focuses on a brain pigment called neuromelanin, which can provide evidence of healthy dopamine function and help predict whether patients will respond to treatment.

Scientists say consistent sleep is important for everyone, but is especially so for people who suffer from schizophrenia.

TOPICS: Business/Economy; Health/Medicine; Military/Veterans; Society
KEYWORDS: drug; fda; schizophrenia

Hey! FReepers!
Help Fill The Tank!
How About It? Huh?
It Ain't Askin' Too Much
Ya Know....

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.

We'll take it.... Both of us.....................

1 posted on 09/27/2024 6:27:02 AM PDT by Red Badger

To: Red Badger

Actually, I think it should be administered to the entire Democrat party.

2 posted on 09/27/2024 6:36:11 AM PDT by liberalh8ter ( Ephesians 6:10 - 18)

To: Red Badger

How long before the users start shooting up schools and workplaces?

3 posted on 09/27/2024 6:36:38 AM PDT by Seruzawa ("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))

To: Red Badger

There's been an effective treatment for severe schizophrenia for over 50 years but they won't use it because psychiatrists are a bunch of virtue signaling patsies: Work for food.

4 posted on 09/27/2024 6:37:20 AM PDT by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)

To: Red Badger

It won't help her

Psychotic symptoms include changes in the way a person thinks, acts, and experiences the world. A person experiencing psychotic symptoms often has disrupted thoughts and perceptions, and they may have difficulty recognizing what is real and what is not. Psychotic symptoms include:

>>Hallucinations: When a person sees, hears, smells, tastes, or feels things that are not actually there. Hearing voices is common for people with schizophrenia. People who hear voices may hear them for a long time before family or friends notice a problem.

>>Delusions: When a person has strong beliefs that are not true and may seem irrational to others. For example, individuals experiencing delusions may believe that people on the radio and television are sending special messages that require a certain response, or they may believe that they are in danger or that others are trying to hurt them.

>>Thought disorder: When a person has ways of thinking that are unusual or illogical. People with thought disorder may have trouble organizing their thoughts and speech. Sometimes a person will stop talking in the middle of a thought, jump from topic to topic, or make up words that have no meaning.

5 posted on 09/27/2024 6:39:05 AM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)

To: logi_cal869

Indeed her thought disorder is like a shot gun shell filled with words and blaster onto a wall.

6 posted on 09/27/2024 6:45:42 AM PDT by Vaduz

To: liberalh8ter

Uh, they’re already schizo so they don’t need a shit to get there. 💉😵‍💫

7 posted on 09/27/2024 6:47:04 AM PDT by rktman (Destroy America from within? Check! WTH? Enlisted USN 1967 to end up with this💩? 🚫💉! 🇮🇱👍!)

To: Red Badger

I hope this provides some help to those with this disorder.
And does so with only minimal side effects.
There is still a great deal we don’t know about it.
As one earlier Poster suggested. providing people with a set routine of work and activity can be a helpful way to manage the symptoms, at least for some patients.

8 posted on 09/27/2024 6:48:33 AM PDT by lee martell

To: rktman

SHOT! Not 💩. Sorry . Big fingers little keyboard. But it still kinda applies. 😁

9 posted on 09/27/2024 6:49:42 AM PDT by rktman (Destroy America from within? Check! WTH? Enlisted USN 1967 to end up with this💩? 🚫💉! 🇮🇱👍!)

To: Red Badger

I’ve long been a proponent of Thorazine patches.

10 posted on 09/27/2024 6:50:33 AM PDT by blackdog ((Z28.310) Be careful what you say. Your refrigerator may be listening & reporting you.)

To: Red Badger

What percentage of young men who smoke modern high potency marijuana become schizophrenic?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Research indicates that heavy use of high-potency marijuana can increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, particularly in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Some studies suggest that around 10-30% of regular users may experience psychotic symptoms, but this doesn’t mean they will all develop schizophrenia. The exact percentage of young men who smoke high-potency marijuana and develop schizophrenia varies based on individual risk factors, such as family history and age of onset. It’s essential to consider these factors when evaluating risk.

11 posted on 09/27/2024 6:51:01 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie ("Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here I am! Send me." )

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Read Entire Article