Sunday, November 27, 2005

A Simple Solution to the Transplant Organ Shortage

thousands of people die each year awaiting organs for transplant. This organ shortage would be better addressed if ....organs of the deceased were routinely used, excluding only those from people who explicitly refuse to be donors, in contrast to the current system that requires donors to actively enlist.
From The Ethicist, New York Times

Sunday, November 20, 2005

A Disturbing Report about Abilify (Aripiprazole)

A recent study found that Abilify reduced symptoms such as aggression, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in 56% of 32 children with developmental disabilities.
Unfortunately weight gain occurred in all the children during the course of the study, and three discontinued the medication because of weight gain. The mean body mass index increased from 22.5 to 24.1 kg/m2 during the follow-up period.
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This is the first report I have seen about Abilify causing weight gain. Abilify, along with Geodon, was supposed to be a weight-neutral antipsychotic. I find this study especially concerning because a large part of my practice is treating the devolpmentally disabled, the population treated in this study.