[Sexual dysfunction induced by antidepressants and antipsychotics].

The interest in sexual dysfunction induced by psychotropic drugs has increased considerably in recent years because of the new-generation antidepressants (AD) and antipsychotics (AP) being put into medical practice. These drugs are widely used to treat not only depression and schizophrenia, but also anxiety and affective disorders. Other, additional indications for the use of antidepressants are appetite disorders, premenstrual syndrome, chronic pain, etc.

[Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and general paralysis: a clinical case].

Described in 1960 by Jean Delay in relation to the use of haloperidol, neuroleptic malignant syndrome remains relatively rare, and poorly known by the medical profession. The emergence of the atypical antipsychotic agents and preventive measures which have become general in recent years in hospital departments using dopamine receptor antagonists has not altered the prognosis, which remains potentially fatal in approximately a quarter of cases. This article proposes a descriptive summary of this syndrome in terms of clinical and biological diagnostics as well as of evolution, epidemiology, differential diagnosis and treatment.

[Assessment of the clinical activity of fluoxetin (Prozac) according of the "Stars of Liège" model].

Ten psychiatrists have independently rated the clinical profile of fluoxetin (Prozac) at the daily dose of 20 mg according to a "Stars of Liège" model comprising three parameters of therapeutic activity (antidepressant, psychostimulant and anxiolytic) and three parameters of side-effects (anticholinergic, sedative and hypotensive). Each parameter, graduated from 0 to 5 (no, very weak, weak, moderate, potent, very potent effect) was rated by each investigator according to his personal experience with at least 10 patients. Mean ratings given to fluoxetine show a moderate antidepressant effect, equal to amitriptyline (Rédomex, Tryptizol 75 mg/d, clomipramine (Anafranil 75 mg/d and nialamide (Niamide 100 mg/d, weak psychostimulating and anxiolytic effects, a very weak sedative effect and a lack of anticholinergic and hypotensive effects.

[Novel comparative profile of the clinical activity of antidepressive agents].

In order to develop practical criteria to guide in the selection of antidepressant medication according to depressive symptomatology, we propose a graphical representation of the clinical activity of 24 antidepressants according to a "star" model. Six parameters have been evaluated from 0 to 5 in comparison to reference drugs (rated 5) by 11 independent "blind" psychiatrists expert in pharmacotherapy. Three parameters were used as measures of therapeutic activity: antidepressant, psychostimulant, and anxiolytic, with iproniazide 75 mg/d, metamphetamine 15 mg/d, and diazepam 20 mg/d as reference drugs respectively.