WHAT TO DO WHEN COMPICATIONS ARISE: TREATING DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN THE PRIMARY CARE SETTING Jennifer A. Ganem MS, APRN Londonderry Square 50 Nashua Road Londonderry, NH 03053-3438 Phone: (603) 432-3399 Fax: (603) 432-3396 www.jenniferaganem.com
DISCLOSURES I was on the following Speaker Bureaus: 2003-2010 Shire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004-2012 Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2006-2010 Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation 2008-2010 AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals I presented a poster funded by Shire Development LLC at the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Conference (June 2012)
Objectives At the end of this presentation you will be able to: Determine an effective way to manage common complications including, but not limited to, when to change or augment antidepressants Determine if pharmacogenetic testing is warranted
In any given year, in those age 18 and older in the US: Mental Health Disorder Occurs in: Rated severe in: Major Depression 9.5% 45% Bipolar 2.6% --- Anxiety (all) 18.1% ---
Major Depression Mnemonic Thanks to Dr. Carey Gross of MGH Jennifer A. Ganem MS, APRN Patient must have a depressed mood or anhedonia for at least two weeks and four of the following: Sleep (insomnia or hypersomnia) Interests (diminished interest in or pleasure from activities) Guilt (excessive or inappropriate guilt; feelings of worthlessness) Energy (loss of energy or fatigue) Concentration (diminished concentration or indecisiveness) Appetite (decrease or increase in appetite; weight loss or gain) Psychomotor (retardation or agitation) Suicide (recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation or suicide attempt)
Antidepressants Tricyclics Not first line because they are lethal in small amounts Several require blood monitoring and have a narrow window Several cause EKGs changes and require monitoring in children, as well as adults with cardiac issues SSRIs First line for depression because they are not lethal in small amounts Do not require blood or EKG monitoring* Three approved to be used in children/adolescents Several have anxiety indications as well
Antidepressants continued SNRIs Not lethal in small amounts One has an anxiety indication as well Can cause an increase in BP (dose-dependent effect) DNRI Not lethal in small amounts Can cause an increase in BP (dose-dependent effect)
The Black Box Warning December 2006, the FDA issued the black box warning; May 2007, it was updated to include patients up to age 24 The warning includes ALL antidepressants and mood stabilizers approved to treat the depressed phase of Bipolar Disorder Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of [Medication] or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need.
Medication Approved Ages Indication(s) Dosage Range 2D6 2C19 buproprion adults MDD 100mg-300mg SR 150mg-450mg XL + citalopram adults MDD 10mg-60mg* + ++ desvenlafaxine adults MDD 50mg ++ + duloxetine adults MDD, GAD 30mg-60mg ++ escitalopram 12-adults adults MDD GAD 10mg-20mg + ++ fluoxetine 7-adults 8-adults adults OCD MDD, Panic Bulimia, PMDD 10mg-60mg ++ + fluvoxamine 6-adults OCD 100mg-200mg ++
Medication Approved Ages Indication(s) Dosage Range 2D6 2C19 levomilnacipran adults MDD 40mg-120mg + + paroxetine adults MDD, GAD, Panic, Social, PTSD, PMDD 10mg-60mg ++ sertraline 6-adults adults OCD MDD, GAD, Panic, Social, PTSD, PMDD 50mg-200mg + + venlafaxine XR adults MDD, GAD, Social, Panic 75mg-225mg ++ + vilazodone adults MDD 20mg-40mg + + vortioxetine adults MDD 5mg-20mg ++ +
STAR*D Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) was a collaborative study on the treatment of depression, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. It s the largest and longest study ever done to evaluate depression treatment. Over a seven-year period, the study enrolled more than 4,000 outpatients, aged 18-75 years. Its main focus was on the treatment of depression in patients where the first prescribed antidepressant proved inadequate.
STAR*D (continued) 2/3 of patients had one or more concurrent general medical conditions 2/3 of patients had one or more concurrent psychiatric condition Almost 40% had their first depressive episode prior to age 18 More than half of the patients met criteria for an anxiety disorder
STAR*D (continued) 1/3 of patients DID NOT RESPOND until > 6 weeks of treatment Used standardized symptom and side effect measures at each visit This detects smaller changes than asking patients for their global impression If > 20% reduction in symptoms, increase the dose at week 6 and wait up to 10 weeks
STAR*D (continued) Step Treatment Note Likelihood of remission 1 SSRI (citalopram) 37% 2 Another SSRI or SNRI or DRI or CBT 3 Augment with lithium or augment with T 3 4 venlafaxine XR + mirtazapine or tranylcypromine Despite substantial pharmacological differences between agents, there was no substantial change in clinical efficacy T 3 did better than lithium with fewer side effects 31% 14% 13%
Lessons Learned From STAR*D Patients and providers less likely to aim for remission in those with treatment resistance Higher relapse rates occur in those with more trials Use standardized rating scales at each visit PHQ-9 Reinforces the need for remission versus response!
PHQ-9: Depression Screening Tool 9 item scale designed to be used in primary care to screen for depression and measure treatment response It is completed by the patient It s use is reimbursed by most health insurances The adult and adolescent scales can be viewed at: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/all/editorial/ psychiatrictimes/pdfs/scale-phq-a.pdf and http://www.psychiatry.org/practice/dsm/dsm5/onlineassessment-measures#disorder
Complication: Minimal Response at an Average Dose at Week 6 Increase dose to FDA maximum Wait until week 10 before changing medications or augmenting
Complication: Side Effects at Low Doses Jennifer A. Ganem MS, APRN Start an agent that can be up-titrated in incrementally small doses
Consider Pharmacogenetic Testing (PGT) Non-invasive genetic test using an oral swab or saliva specimen When a patient has: minimal response at average dose side effects at a low dose failed multiple antidepressants
Common PGT for Depression: CYP2D6 Major pathway for: fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, vortioxetine, duloxetine, venlafaxine, mirtazapine, TCAs aripriproazole Minor pathway for: citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, levomilnacipran, buproprion, vilazodone quetiapine, olanzapine
Common PGT for Depression: CYP219 Major pathway for: citalopram, escitalopram, imipramine Minor pathway for: Fluoxetine, sertraline, vortioxetine, levomilnacipran, venlafaxine, vilazodone, amitriptyline, nortriptyline
Common PGT for Depression: MTHFR FOLIC ACID dihydrofolatereductase Dihydrofolate dihydrofolatereductase Tetrafolate serine hydromethyltransferase 5, 10 Methylene THF methylenetetrahydrofolatereductase (MTHFR) L-METHYLFOLATE
Common PGT for Depression: MTHFR (continued) MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolatereductase) There is over 50 years of evidence linking folate deficiency and depression Patients who are MTHFR+ may be at increased risk for depression due to a reduced ability to convert dietary folate into it s active form of L-methylfolate
Common PGT for Depression: MTHFR (continued) There is evidence that adding L-methylfolate to an SSRI or SNRI, improved treatment outcomes as compared to placebo or monotherapy alone There is evidence that L-methylfolate support the production of neurotransmitters that naturally help improve mood and boost antidepressant response, especially in depressed patients with a BMI >30
When to Test for MTHFR Mood disorders Schizophrenia Infertility and/or multiple miscarriages Migraines IBS Child or sibling with autism, spina bifida, cleft lip/cleft palate
To determine if: Why Consider PGT? If a given mediation is appropriate for your patient If the dose is appropriate If an ultrarapid metabolizer, dosage may need to be increased If a slow metabolizer, dosage may need to be decreased If l-methylfolate should be added to the regimen
Treatment of MTHFR + L-methylfolate 15mg po daily
Complication: Ending Treatment Treatment: Education about relapse rates Change medication or consider resuming brandname medication Change to a different type of therapy/therapist Prescribe a medication to treat side effects
Complication: End of Drug Response Treatment: Change dosage or class of medicine Add or increase therapy
Complication: Anxious Depression Jennifer A. Ganem MS, APRN 53% of STAR*D participants were identified as having anxious depression They were more likely to be unemployed, have less education, more severe depression, and more coexisting medical and psychiatric conditions They were harder to treat
Complication: Anxious Depression (continued) Anxious Depressed Nonanxious Depressed Step 1 42% response 22% remission 53% response 33.4% remission
Complication: Jennifer A. Ganem MS, APRN Increased Anxiety/Panic Attacks Given that about half of the patients presenting with depression in primary care have a co-morbid Anxiety Disorder, the potential to induce some anxiety exists. Therefore, at the onset of treatment, let patients know they may experience increased anxiety symptoms
Managing Increased Anxiety < 1 month Consider using a benzodiazepine in the first month of treatment. Benzodiazepine Length of Action Dosage Range alprazolam 2-4 hours 0.25mg-1mg up to QID lorazepam 4-6 hours 0.5mg-2mg up to TID clonazepam 6-8 hours 0.5mg-2mg up to TID
Managing Increased Anxiety >1 month Medication Age Indication Dosage Range buspirone adults *safety data 6-18 GAD 15mg-30mg BID hydroxyzine children - adults Antihistamine Off label for anxiety < 6yo 50mg up to TID > 6yo 50mg-100mg up to TID gabapentin Anticonvulsant Off label for anxiety Up to 3600mg daily in divided doses propranolol adults HTN (beta-blocker) Off label for Social Phobia 10-40mg single dose 30 minutes prior to social event
Complication: Patient Becomes Pregnant Educate about the benefits and risks of continuing on antidepressant Consider continuing medication if patient is currently depressed or has experienced more two or more episodes of depression http://www.perinatalweb.org/assets/cms/uploads/files/wa PC_Med_Chart_2012_v9.pdf
Complication: Patient Becomes Pregnant (continued) Only Paxil is Pregnancy Category D, the rest are Category C Don t change medications if it s working; why expose the fetus to more agents? Maximize the dose of the current medication before augmenting with another agent
Resources Regarding Jennifer A. Ganem MS, APRN Medication Use During Pregnancy www.womensmentalhealth.org www.emorywomensprogram.org www.motherisk.org
Treatment: Complication: Sustained Depression Change dosage or class of medicine Add or increase therapy Augment with another antidepressant, mood stabilizer approved for augmentation Augment with lithium or T 3 Add or increase therapy
Complication: Depression Turns to Hypomania Jennifer A. Ganem MS, APRN Bipolar patients present to us when depressed and unless specifically asked they often do not report hypomanic symptoms Keep in mind that bipolar patients are in a depressed phase three times more than they are in a hypomanic/manic phase so they may consider hypomania normal
What Does Hypomania Look Like? Distractibility Indiscretion or excessive risk taking Grandiosity Flight of ideas or racing thoughts Activity increase Sleep deficit without fatigue Talkativeness or pressured speech
MDQ: Screening Tool for Mania The Mood Disorder Questionnaire is a 15-item yes/no self-report It was designed for adults, but can be used with patients >12 years of age It can be repeated to measure improvement following treatment It can be viewed at: http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/pageserver? pagename=education_screeningcenter_mania
Mood Charting Encourage patients to use mood charting to get a sense of what happens over time Wellness Tracker (www.dbsalliance.org/wellness_tracker) Free ios and Android Tracks mood, sleep, medication, symptoms, exercise, medication, etc. At-a-glance summary of trends Download PDF reports T2 Mood Tracker (t2health.dcoe.mil/apps/t-2mood-tracker) Free ios and Android Tracks anxiety, stress, depression, general well-being Download PDF reports Mood Tracker (www.moodtracker.com) Browser based tool Tracks moods and medication Has medication reminder Provides audio relaxation and stress relief meditations Can share profile with provider
STEP-BD (Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder) NIMH funded study that revealed adding an antidepressant medication is no more effective than placebo in treating depressed phase of Bipolar Disorder but also didn t show that an antidepressant triggered manic switching Bottom line: Use a mood stabilizer approved for antidepressant augmentation and/or to treat bipolar depression!
Mood Stabilizers Medication Approved For Antidepressant Augmentation Approved for Bipolar Depression aripriprazole Y N lamotrigine N Y (maintenance) lurasidone N Y olanzapine Y Y quietapine Y Y
Complication: Patient Becomes Suicidal Jennifer A. Ganem MS, APRN Refer to the local ER to determine the level of care needed to maintain his safety
Additional Resources: National Alliance for the Mentally Ill http://www.nami.org/ National Institute of Mental Health http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/pageserver?pagename=home National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
References: Jennifer A. Ganem MS, APRN Bandelow, B., Sher, L., Bunevicius, R., Hollander, E., Kasper, S., Zohar, J., WFSBP Task Force on Anxiety Disorders, OCD and PTSD. (2012). Guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessivecompulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder in primary care. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 16(2), 77-84. doi: 10.3109/13651501.2012.667114 Fava, M, Rush, A.J., Alpert, J.E., Balasubramani, G.K., Wisniewski, S.R., Carmi, C.N,, Trivedi MH.(2008). Difference in treatment outcome in outpatients with anxious versus nonanxious depression: A STARD*D report. American Journal of Psychiatry, 165(3):342-51. Gaynes, B. N., Rush, A. J., Trivedi, M. H., Wisniewski,S. R., Balasubramani, G. K., Spencer, D. C., Fava, M. (2007). Major depressive symptoms in primary care and psychiatric care setting: a cross sectional analysis. Annals of Family Medicine, 5(2), 126-134. doi:10.1370/afm.641 Ginsberg, L. D., Oubre, A. Y., Daoud, Y. A. (2011). L-methyloflate Pluss SSRI or SNRI from Treatment Initiation Compared to SSRI or SNRI Monotherapy in a Major Depressive Episode. Innovative Clinical Neuroscience, 8(1), 19-28. Hidalgo, R. B., Tupler, L. A., & Davidson, J.R. (2007). An effect-size analysis of pharmacologic treatments for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 21(8), 864-872. doi: 10.1177/0269881107076996 Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 617-627. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.617 Kupka, R. W., Altshuler, L. L., Nolen, W. A., Suppes, T., Luckenbaugh, D. A., Leverich, G. S., Post, R. M. (2007). Three times more days depressed than manic or hypomanic in both bipolar I and bipolar II disorder. Bipolar Disorder, 9(5), 531-535. doi:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2007.00467.x Papakotstas, G. I., Shelton, R. C., Zajecka, J. M, Etemad, B., Rickels, K., Clain, A., Fava M. (2012). L-Methylfolate as Adjuctive Therapy for SSRI-Resistant Major Depression: Results of Two Randomized, Double-Blind Parllel-Sequential Trials. American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(12):1267-74. Rakofky, J. (2016) RELAPSE: Answers to why a patient is having a new mood episode. Current Psychiatry, 15(2), 53-54. Rush, J.A. (2007) STAR*D: What have we learned? American Journal of Psychiatry, 164 (2), 201-204. Sachs, G., _Nierenberg, A.,A, Calabrese, J.R., Marangell, L.,B, Wisniewski, S.,R, Gyulai,L, Thase ME. (2007). Effectiveness of adjunctive antidepressant treatment for bipolar depression; a double-blind placebo-controlled study. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(17):1711-22. Stahl, S. M. (2007). Novel Therapeutics for Depression: L-methylfolate as a Trimonoamine Modulator and Antidepressant-Augmenting Agent. CNS Spectrums, 12 (10), 39-44.