Rayshell Clapper for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online
Many individuals rely on pharmacology for different physical or mental health issues. However, some conditions require certain pharmacology which can be described as used for something entirely different.
For instance, there are many people who have quit smoking by temporarily taking antidepressants. Some people take aspirin for headaches, while others take it to prevent heart disease. There are many other medications which are prescribed for a myriad of diseases, disorders and illnesses. When it comes to mental health, however, people wonder why they have to take an antipsychotic for anxiety or an antidepressant for bulimia.
The truth is antipsychotics help anxiety just as well as the antidepressant provides benefits to those who suffer from bulimia, but the nomenclature is just dated, misleading and frustrating.
Recently, representatives from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP), International College of Neuropsychopharmacology, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Asian College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology gathered in Berlin to discuss the issue of the confusing and misleading names of certain medications.
During the conference of the five major institutes, the professionals agreed that the names of drugs greatly influenced whether patients will take them as well as leaving some doctors confused as to their uses.
The names of these drugs date back to the 1960s, which means that for 50 years nothing has been updated. Those diagnosed with anxiety are often prescribed what was previously called an antipsychotic, but many would not take it due to a fear of the perception of taking such a medication. Despite the fact that the antipsychotic helps in anxiety, the fear of being labeled kept people from getting the help they needed. This precise situation led the world’s major psychiatry organizations to completely change the terminology.
This change will classify and name pharmacological drugs based on four components or axes:
Axis 1 – describes pharmacological target and mode of action
Axis 2 – describes approved indications, or what they drug is used for
Axis 3 – describes efficacy and major side effects
Axis 4 – describes the neurobiological description
An example was also provided of the new naming for fluoxetine (more commonly known as Prozac):
1. Class/mechanism: Serotonin, reuptake inhibitor
2. Indications: Major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder (and others)
3. Efficacy: Improves symptoms of depression and anxiety and reduces compulsive behavior and obsessional thoughts
4. Side effects: GI symptoms, anxiety, changes in sleep early in treatment, sexual dysfunction
5. Neurobiological description: Neurotransmitter actions / Physiological / Brain Circuits are all listed in the new classification
Clearly, this new classification and description model is wordier, but it provides a much clearer understanding of the purposes of the medicine and its varied uses. The hope is that the change will help doctors understand the pharmacology better and provide patients with less negative associations.
As Professor David Kupfer, representative from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, states, “This change in terminology represents a major shift in the way which clinicians, and their patients, will think about the drugs they use. This new system is being launched at the ECNP in Berlin, so there is a long period of negotiation and discussion to come before we get complete agreement. Nevertheless, this will mean a real change in the way we talk about the drugs used in psychiatry and neuroscience.”
Ideally, all of this will lead to a healthier population. If patients do not have to stumble on the stigma of a certain medications, perhaps their ailments can be better addressed. The change in terminology may be verbose, but the change in health will likely be worth it.
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