Evaluation Of Adverse Drug Reactions In Patients Of Depression In Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital In Central India

Abstract

Introduction: Depression is 4th leading cause of disability in the world as per the WHO. The adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) to antidepressants are frequent and can lead to dereliction or even discontinuation of therapy. Due to lack of adequate drug safety data for antidepressants, present study was undertaken to monitor their ADRs. Objectives: (1) To evaluate ADRs in patients with depression who received antidepressants. (2) To compare ADRs in various classes of antidepressants. Materials & Method: Study was conducted from August 2021 to July 2022. 100 patients on antidepressant drugs from department of Psychiatry, LN Medical College & JK Hospital, Bhopal were analysed. Patients diagnosed with depression as per ICD 11 criteria. Data was collected in standard questionnaire format. Assessment of causality of ADRs was done by Naranjo’s Algorithm. Result: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have shown lowest propensity to cause serious ADRs, are frequently prescribed and least likely to affect quality of life of patients. Although Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitryptyline has shown maximum potential to produce CNS, anticholinergic and metabolic ADRs. CNS ADRs – agitation (23.94%), insomnia (16.90%) and anxiety (15.49%) were most commonly found. Conclusion: SSRIs & TCAs were commonly prescribed drugs and accounted for most of ADRs. This study shows a representative profile of ADRs, frequently observed in Psychiatry department. Pharmacovigilance programmes will be helpful in reducing the number of ADRs.