I'd like to find either anti depressant or adhd medication available
or used widely in england (but not so in the US) or, research in
england on this type of medication that may not yet be out.

---

Request for Question Clarification by justaskscott-ga on 15 Feb 2003 22:03 PST

Do you want information on every antidepressant and ADHD medication
available in England but not in the US?  The way that you've phrased
the question might suggest that you would be happy with information on
a single antidepressant and/or a single ADHD medication.  However, for
$100, perhaps you expect information on more than just one medication,
and for both antidepressant and ADHD medications (rather than just one
or the other type of medication).

Is it an important criterion for you that the mediciation is used
widely in England, or rather simply that it is available in England? 
(I assume that, either way, another important criterion is that the
medication is not available in the US.)

Assuming that a Researcher finds sufficient information on
antidepressant / ADHD medication / medications that are available /
used widely in England (but not available in the US), do you also need
information on research for this type of medication?  Or rather, do
require information on research only if there is no medication that
currently meets the criteria of your question?

---

Clarification of Question by perplexed2003-ga on 16 Feb 2003 04:59 PST

your question is terrific and inspires confidence...my question was
vague precisely because I'm not that clear myself on what I'm
asking....I was hoping that there was a a very narrow answer despite
the broadness of the question, so it wouldn't matter.   Here is what
led to the question, and I'll let you judge how best to reply:
A clairboyant friend who has been uncannily correct over the decades
said the following when I asked her if yet another medication I've
been prescribed for ADD/depression (even the diagnosis is unclear and
borderline) because anything else I've taken works for a while but
causes unacceptable side effects..she said "in a few months I see you
getting a medication that is somehow from England..it is either used
there and not here, or it is manufactured there..or something...but it
is somehow from Endgland.".I asked if it was already in use or not yet
released..and she said it wasn't clear.   From that perspective, it is
a silly question to ask a google researcher, but I thought that if
there was a ready and obvious medication that anyone who knew the
subject would immediately say "oh, it could only be such and
such"...then it was worth asking.     Now that you know why I'm aking,
you may decide for yourself how you want to go about searching for a
reply that best fits the inquiry.   It may very well be that this is a
wild goose chase, with no real answer.  I'm willing to pay for the
attempt and see what it yields.  It may be that a conversation with a
psychopharmacologist is a good start, rather than any database. 
Because of the weirdness of this search,  my rating will depend on the
attempt to reply as much as anything, because there may be no ready
answer.  have fun and good luck.  If you do not want to reply to this,
I understand and would be satisfied with that approach as well.

---

Request for Question Clarification by justaskscott-ga on 16 Feb 2003 15:42 PST

Perhaps, to narrow it down, you would prefer an antidepressant
medication or an ADHD medication (or preferably one medication used
for both conditions) available in England, which has been submitted
for approval in the US.  I don't know if there is a medication that
fits in this category, but it sounds like it would fit the prediction
nicely ... especially if it subsequently becomes available!

---

Request for Question Clarification by justaskscott-ga on 16 Feb 2003 17:12 PST

I didn't find any medications in this category; perhaps someone else
might.  Or maybe you have another interpretation of the prediction?

---

Clarification of Question by perplexed2003-ga on 16 Feb 2003 19:09 PST

what about  an antidepressant
medication or an ADHD medication (or preferably one medication used
for both conditions) available (and used) in England, which is NOT
approved in the US and has NOT been submitted
for approval in the US.   
If there is nothing like that, then I give up.  What happens in this
google service in that case?

---

Request for Question Clarification by justaskscott-ga on 16 Feb 2003 20:44 PST

Ironically, I have found a medication that is made by a British
corporation, which is used for depression and ADHD in the US, but not
in England.  Could this medication somehow be reintepreted to fit the
prediction?  Or perhaps, could the accuracy of the prediction be not
as important as the result, which ideally would be an amelioration of
depression and ADHD?  You can decide, and let me know.

To be on the safe side, I should also ask which medications you have
taken.  I don't mean this as a personal question; rather, I would not
want the medication that you receive as an answer to be one that
you've already tried with dissatisfactory results.

---

Clarification of Question by perplexed2003-ga on 16 Feb 2003 22:06 PST

The medications I've tried are not made by a Brittish corporation.
I will take your finding as the answer and call it a day.  If I turn
out to take the medication in question, it'll be a self fullfilled
prophesy so to speak.  That's the problem with predictions.  The very
act of making them (not to mention heeding them) already influences
and alters the prediction.  sort of like quantum
mechanics....whatever...thanks for your efforts.
Ironically, if the prediction is to be taken literally, this
medication may not be available for another 3 months.

---

Clarification of Question by perplexed2003-ga on 17 Feb 2003 05:27 PST

yes, you may post this as a partial answer and continue to research
until you have have either used up the payment amount or can't find
any more information.  I would like to use the $ amount paid as a
guide to when to stop since I do not really know, whatever you find,
if there is still more out there, so whenever you ask would you like
me to continue, the answer will always be, sure, until the amount paid
for the search runs out.  Or until there is no more info to find.
How does this work?  If you have completed the search (can't find any
more) yet have not used up the $'s alloted, do I get a credit for
another search?

---

Request for Question Clarification by justaskscott-ga on 17 Feb 2003 07:53 PST

You have told both umiat-ga and me to post an answer or partial
answer.  If you want both types of answer, perhaps you should post a
separate question.  (You should probably include a link back to the
original question if you do: here is the link --
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=161900 .) 
You can establish whatever values you wish for the type of answer I've
proposed and the type of answer that umiat-ga has proposed.  (I
certainly don't mind if you place a significantly higher value on the
type of answer that umiat-ga has proposed.)

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 17 Feb 2003 08:04 PST

Hi, perplexed,

 I will search some more on this question and post my comment plus the
additional information as an answer. If I find nothing more, I will
leave the comment as is unless you tell me it is adequate information
for an answer.
 In terms of a payment amount for a question, it is up to the client
to determine how much a question is worth, as asked. A researcher gets
only a percentage of the posted amount.
 There may only be one reference to answer a $100 question, or there
may be many references. The amount you offer is based on how much you
feel the information is worth to you, and/or how much effort you
imagine will be expended by the researcher to answer the question.
 For example, in a question such as yours, a researcher could spend
countless hours researching and come up with nothing at all. Thus,
there would be no answer. Or, they may spend many hours and come up
with only one reference. There is no "credit" of money left over after
a question has been adequately answered. However, if you feel the
answer is totally off the mark, then you can ask for a refund.
 An example would be if I answered your question with references to
medications for diabetes and no consequent use for depression, or
medications from Australia.
 It may very well be that I will research for several hours more and
not find any further information. Then, it is up to you to decide
whether the one tidbit I have found is adequate to be posted as an
answer. Usually, the process does not work quite this way, since even
one reference can be considered an answer to a high-priced question if
it is an adequate answer.
 I will lock the question and continue working. Please let me know, as
soon as possible. If I find nothing further after several hours, I
will let you know.  If you are willing to accept reference in my
comment as an answer, if I find nothing further, please let me know.
 You may post a clarification at any time, even while I have the
question locked, so I look foward to hearing from you.

 umiat

---

Clarification of Question by perplexed2003-ga on 17 Feb 2003 11:53 PST

if you  find nothing else after having searched some more, then I
accept your comment as an answer.  thank you very much. and thank you
in advance if you do in fact find some more.

Hello, peplexed2003!

 Thank you for your patience and clarification. I will post what I
have found as an official answer. I did manage to find two medications
used in England that are not currently approved in the United States.
One is in the class called Racetams, and the other medication is
called Reboxatine.

 I have posted the information concerning each medication below:
 
 
================================================================================
 
Dr. Richard Brown, the psychiatrist who wrote the book "Stop
Depression Now," is billed as "an advocate of cutting-edge
international pharmaceutical technology." He uses a wide variety of
pharmaceutical products in his practice that are not available in the
United States and do not currently have FDA approval. He describes one
such class of medications that he uses for depression in the following
article.
 
"Anti-Depressive Procedures," by Richard Brown, M.D. International
AntiAging Sytems.
http://www.smart-drugs.com/ias-depression.htm 
 
 
Racetams: The European Alternatives  
***********************************  
 
 
"Another group of medications which are relatively unfamiliar to most
American physicians are the pyrolidones or racetams. I most commonly
use pramiracetam or piracetam from this class."
 
"These medications have a positive effect on nerve cell energy
metabolism and seem to boost the function of cholinergic and
NMDA-glutamate receptor systems.  Pyrollidones facilitate the transfer
of information between the cerebral hemispheres across the corpus
callosum.  They improve the function of the verbal areas of the left
cerebral cortex. They can be used to lessen the cognitive side effects
of anticonvulsants, as well boost the anticonvulsant efficacy of these
medications."
 
******** 
 
"Even less well known is that there are several studies showing that
the racetams can boost the efficacy of antidepressants. Yet they are
extremely benign in terms of side effects, rarely causing stimulation
and over activation."
 
********   
 
These medications are available from the International AntiAging
System website. The company address is:
 
International Antiaging Systems 
Les Autelets  Suite A 
Sark  GY9 0SF 
Channel Islands 
Great Britain 
 
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions at  
http://www.smart-drugs.com/ias-FAQ.htm 
 
Note: 
"Most countries allow the importation of medicines for personal use
but each person must check the laws for his country.
We do not require a prescription.  
US citizens can legally import a 3 month supply of medicines for
personal use under FDA policy signed July 20, 1988.
 (also see IAS terms and conditions).  
 
 Please click on the link for the FDA policy and read it carefully.  
 
Information pertaining to Pramiracetam from another foreign drug
website mentions that:
 
*"Parke Davis is working on FDA approval of pramiracetam to treat
Alzheimer's disease."*
 
From Drug Prescriptions at
http://zldamen.com/drugdescriptions/smartdrugs/index.html
 
 
================================================================================

Reboxetine 
**********

"....Reboxetine (Edronax) is a usually well-tolerated, highly
selective "noradrenergic" agent. Crudely, whereas serotonin plays a
vital role in mood, noradrenaline is essential to maintaining drive
and the capacity for reward. There's a fair bit of evidence that
chronically depressive people have dysfunctional and atypical
noradrenergic systems - particularly their alpha 2- and
beta-adrenoceptors. Reboxetine itself typically doesn't have the
disruptive effects on cognitive function or psychomotor performance
common to older clinical mood-brighteners - though alas antimuscarinic
effects are still not completely absent. Indeed the new NorAdrenaline
Reuptake Inhibitors (NARIs) are possibly under-used and under-hyped.
NARIs - and dopaminergics like amineptine (Survector) - may be
especially good for drive-deficient "anergic" states where the
capacity for sustained motivation is lacking; and for melancholic
depressives with a poor ability to cope with stress. Reboxetine may be
safely combined with an SSRI. More surprisingly, preliminary studies
suggest reboxetine can actually reverse tranylcypromine-induced
hypertensive crises. The "cheese effect" is usually triggered by
ingesting tyramine-rich foods. Thus NARIs plus MAOIs may prove a
potent form of combination-therapy.

*** "By mid-2001, reboxetine was licensed worldwide in over 50
countries. In May, however, the FDA declined Pharmacia's license
application for the North American market. The grounds for the
decision have not yet been officially disclosed..." *****

(Note the non-disclosure by the FDA concerning approval!)
 
From "The Good Drug Guide." BLTC.
http://www.reboxetine.com/


========


"A comprehensive series of clinical trials have compared the unique
selective NRI reboxetine with placebo and with the TCAs imipramine and
desipramine, as well as with the SSRI fluoxetine. Reboxetine is
clearly effective in both the short and the long term compared with
placebo. Against comparator antidepressants, reboxetine is at least as
effective in the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder
in the adult and the elderly population and offers a significant
advantage over imipramine in the treatment of melancholic patients. In
severely depressed patients, reboxetine was significantly more
effective than fluoxetine. Reboxetine also offers significant
advantages over fluoxetine in terms of social functioning and has a
significantly improved adverse event profile compared with TCAs. In
comparison with fluoxetine, reboxetine has a different adverse event
profile, but shows advantages in terms of
agitation/nervousness/anxiety and gastrointestinal events. Reboxetine
is not cardiotoxic, and it is not associated with an increased risk of
seizures or of orthostatic hypotension. Overall, reboxetine offers a
significant safety advantage over TCAs in the treatment of the
depressed population and in subsets of the depressed population in an
efficacy comparison with the SSRI fluoxetine."

Read "Chairman's overview. The place of reboxetine in antidepressant
therapy," by
Montgomery SA Imperial College of Medicine at St Mary's, London, UK. 
J Clin Psychiatry 1998; 59 Suppl 14:26-9 
http://www.reboxetine.com/profile.html


For more information on Reboxetine:

 See the various links for Reboxetine at http://www.reboxetine.org/


Ordering and clinical information for Reboxetine (brand name Edronax):
********************************************************************

Excerpts follow from the "International Antiaging Systems website at
http://www.smart-drugs.net/insert-reboxetine.htm

What is Edronax®?

Edronax is available in packs of 60 tablets in blister strips. Each
tablet contains tile active ingredient reboxetine 4 mg (as
methanesulphonate). Edronax is one of a group of medicines called
antidepressants used to treat symptoms of depression. Each tablet also
contains microcrystalline cellulose, calcium hydrogen phosphate
dihydrate. Crospovidone, colloidal hydrated silica and magnesium
Stearate. The 4 mg tablet is marked PIU on one side and 7671 on the
other.

Who makes Edronax®?

The company responsible for Edronax in the UK and Ireland is Pharmacia
& Upjohn Limited, Davy Avenue, Milton Keynes. MK5 8PH, United Kingdom.
Edronax is made by Pharmacia & Upjohn SpA, Via Del Commercio Zona
Industriale, Marino Del Toronto, Ascoli Piceno, Italy.

What is your Edronax® for?

Everyone has a chemical called noradrenaline in their body. Low levels
of noradrenaline in the brain are thought to be a cause of depression.
Edronax is in a group of medicines called the selective Noradrenaline
Reuptake Inhibitor (NARI) and works by restoring the levels of
noradrenaline. Edronax relieves the depression by improving mood and
relieving associated symptoms such as fatigue and anxiety.

(Read for further information and possible side effects)


Again, the same informtion applies concerning FDA regulations for
importing this medication. Read the FAQ's on the website.


==================


Additional Information you might find interesting!


To find out which medications have currently received FDA approval 
******************************************************************
 
An interesting site for your own information:

"Center Watch Clinical Trials Listing Service"
http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/drugs/druglist.html

 If you hear about a promising drug from another country, you can go
to this site and find out if the drug has been approved by the FDA.
Just select the year, and the link for Psychiatry/Psychology.


==================


Information concerning clinical trials, medications and news about
Depression/ADHD
********************************************************************************

 The Acurian website has a nice feature that allows you to pick a
medical condition, and then search for news, clinical trials and drug
information. This way, you can stay in touch with all the latest news.

 Pick a condition, pick a state or all states, and then click on
either of the three tabs
listed to the right (Clinical Trials, Drug Information, News &
Features)

Welcome to Acurian
http://www.acurian.com/patient/


 I wish I could have found more information for you! But maybe the two
medications I have profiled will turn out to be the ones your friend
envisioned!

Thanks so much for using Google Answers.

And here is to your increasing good health! 

umiat-ga

Google Search strategy
European +depression +medications
trial OR experimental European medications AND depression adhd
depression medication used in England but not US
experimental medications AND depression OR ADD
Pubmed

This would have been 5 stars except when you referred me to the FAQ's
on the web site for side effects of medication.  It was only a short
paragraph and a quick cut and paste could have spared me the search
for the side effects.   Thank you much.  I am very satistied with the
answer.

perplexed2003-ga,

 I am posting this as a comment since I did not have enough time to do
thorough research tonight and I wasn't sure if you wanted anyone to
continue working on your question. If you are interested in my
pursuing some more information pertaining to your question, please let
me know.

I have found a few substances that are used in Europe that may fit the
bill as a possible answer to your question.I am working from the
following quote in your question clarification:

"she said "in a few months I see you getting a medication that is
somehow from England..it is either used there and not here, or it is
manufactured there..or something...but it
is somehow from Endgland.".I asked if it was already in use or not yet
released..and she said it wasn't clear."


================================================================================

Dr. Richard Brown, the psychiatrist who wrote the book "Stop
Depression Now," is billed as "an advocate of cutting-edge
international pharmaceutical technology." He uses a wide variety of
pharmaceutical products in his practice that are not available in the
United States and do not currently have FDA approval. He describes one
such class of medications that he uses for depression in the following
article.

"Anti-Depressive Procedures," by Richard Brown, M.D. International
AntiAging Sytems.
http://www.smart-drugs.com/ias-depression.htm


Racetams: The European Alternatives 
*********************************** 


"Another group of medications which are relatively unfamiliar to most
American physicians are the pyrolidones or racetams. I most commonly
use pramiracetam or piracetam from this class."

"These medications have a positive effect on nerve cell energy
metabolism and seem to boost the function of cholinergic and
NMDA-glutamate receptor systems.  Pyrollidones facilitate the transfer
of information between the cerebral hemispheres across the corpus
callosum.  They improve the function of the verbal areas of the left
cerebral cortex. They can be used to lessen the cognitive side effects
of anticonvulsants, as well boost the anticonvulsant efficacy of these
medications."

********

"Even less well known is that there are several studies showing that
the racetams can boost the efficacy of antidepressants. Yet they are
extremely benign in terms of side effects, rarely causing stimulation
and over activation."

********  

These medications are available from the International AntiAging
System website. The company address is:

International Antiaging Systems
Les Autelets  Suite A
Sark  GY9 0SF
Channel Islands
Great Britain

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions at 
http://www.smart-drugs.com/ias-FAQ.htm

Note:
"Most countries allow the importation of medicines for personal use
but each person must check the laws for his country.
We do not require a prescription. 
US citizens can legally import a 3 month supply of medicines for
personal use under FDA policy signed July 20, 1988.
 (also see IAS terms and conditions). 

 Please click on the link for the FDA policy and read it carefully. 

Information pertaining to Pramiracetam from another foreign drug
website mentions that:

*"Parke Davis is working on FDA approval of pramiracetam to treat
Alzheimer's disease."*

From Drug Prescriptions at
http://zldamen.com/drugdescriptions/smartdrugs/index.html


 I will be glad to search further on this subject if you are still
interested in the pursuit of an answer. If so, let me know if you
would like me to post this as a partial answer and I will continue to
research this subject.

umiat - Google Researcher


Google Search Strategy
European +depression +medications

Dear Perplexed2003,

You'll find a very interesting mental health discussion forum at
www.dr-bob.org. A lot of the threads cover patient experiences with
European medications. Hope this helps.