Study of Adverse Drug Reaction of Anti-Depressants in Adult Patients: A Nepalese Perspective

Abstract

Background of the study: Depression is a prevalent mental disorder characterized by various symptoms, including low mood, lack of pleasure, changes in appetite and sleep, and difficulty concentrating. Antidepressants are commonly used to manage depression as well as other related disorders, such as anxiety and somatoform disorders. This study aimed to investigate the adverse drug effects experienced by adult patients who were using antidepressants at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital in Nepal. Methods: This study was a retro-prospective, observational study consisting of 117 adult patients under antidepressant medication. The adverse drug profile for the patients was collected using an antidepressant side effect checklist developed by the NHS foundation trust. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Result: The study group consisted of adult patients using antidepressants at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal. The mean age of the group was 40.9 ± 12.8, with 63.2% females and 36.7% males. The most common conditions for which antidepressants were prescribed were depression (49.5%), anxiety disorder (31.6%), and somatoform disorder (13.6%). Amitriptyline was the most commonly used medication in monotherapy (64.1%), followed by escitalopram and sertraline. Dry mouth, weight gain, drowsiness, blurred vision, problems with sexual function, and an increase in appetite were the most commonly reported adverse effects. The incidence of certain adverse effects was higher in the multiple therapy group than in the monotherapy group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of adverse drug effects is high in patients taking antidepressants, especially those receiving multiple medications. Educating patients about common side effects and prescribing monotherapy whenever possible are crucial in reducing the incidence.