Adverse Drug Reaction due to Antidepressants among Patients with Depression in a Private Psychiatric Hospital of Nepal

Abstract

Background. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are the known cause of morbidity and mortality, resulting in increased hospitalization, healthcare costs, complications, and decreased adherence in patients with depression. This study is aimed at evaluating adverse drug reactions due to antidepressants among patients with depression in the psychiatric hospital of Nepal. Methods. A hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted among 47 patients using purposive sampling techniques among patients with depression visiting a private psychiatric hospital. The causality, severity, and preventability assessment of reported ADRs was performed using the Naranjo scale, modified Hartwig Siegel’s Severity Assessment Scale, and Schumock and Thornton scale, respectively. The data collected were entered into and analyzed using IBM-SPSS 20.0. Results. The incidence rate of ADR was found to be 4.54%, with females having a higher incidence rate of 5.56%. A total of 54 ADRs were reported. The majority of them were probable (30, 55.55%), moderate (36, 66.66%) and probably preventable (24, 44.44%). Most of the ADRs were managed either by stopping (19, 35.18%) or substituting (19, 35.18%) the suspected drug and 66.66% of the ADRs were recovered. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were associated with a higher number of ADRs i.e. 34. Conclusion. The findings highlight the need for regular intensive monitoring of ADRs in psychiatric outpatients by clinical pharmacists for early detection and reduction of risk caused by ADRs associated with antidepressants.

Assessment of Adverse Drug Reactions in Treating Common Mental Health Disorders-Findings from a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Puducherry

“…In our research, we observed a higher occurrence of adverse effects among females compared to males, consistent with findings from a prospective observational study conducted in India by Sankhi et al 19 Conversely, a different prospective observational study done by Kushwaha et al, indicated a higher frequency of ADRs among males with antidepressants. 5 The mean age of the patients who experienced ADR was 37.26±11.43 years.…”

“…Similar findings were observed in a prospective observational study, proving a higher number of ADRs associated with SSRIs. 19 The most frequently reported ADR in our study was weight gain (13 cases). A study conducted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) yielded similar results, identifying weight gain as the most prevalent side effect.…”

Adverse drug reactions with antidepressants drugs: Significance of pharmacovigilance in depression pharmacotherapy

“…Clinicians in the field of psychiatry, where long-term drug therapy is common are well-positioned to identify and report ADRs to regulatory agencies 47 . Previous research has highlighted the importance of clinical pharmacists monitoring ADRs in psychiatric settings regularly to detect and mitigate the risk posed by ADRs 53,55 . As a result, pharmacovigilance is not a "specialist" activity; it is a requirement for all those involved in the care of patients on medications, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and paramedical staffs 56 .…”

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

“…In Nepal, a study reported a crude prevalence of depression at 11.7% [4]. Meanwhile, the incidence rate of adverse drug reactions (ADR) caused by antidepressant medications was found to be 4.54% [5]. However, the prevalence of ADRs associated with antidepressants in Nepal has not been assessed yet.…”