Patients Reported Adverse Effects of Antidepressants Among Depressive Disorder and Associated Risk Factors: A...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Pharmacovigilance
• Public Health

Background:

• Antidepressant use has increased globally over the past two decades.
• Adverse drug reactions are frequently reported following antidepressant initiation.
• Understanding these side effects is crucial for effective depression management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of antidepressant adverse effects in Ethiopian outpatients with depression.
• To identify factors associated with these adverse effects.

Main Methods:

• A prospective multicenter cross-sectional study involving 422 outpatients with depression.
• Data collected via an Antidepressant Side Effect Checklist (ASEC) and patient/caregiver interviews.
• Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Antidepressant adverse effects were reported in 82.9% of participants.
• Common side effects included weight gain (64%), nausea/vomiting (51%), dry mouth (49%), and headache (41%).
• Significant risk factors included female sex, unemployment, low monthly income (<620 ETB), limited physical activity, alcohol consumption, and drug use >2 years.

Conclusions:

• Adverse effects are a significant challenge in treating depressive disorders with antidepressants.
• Specific patient groups, including women, the unemployed, those with low income, and individuals with certain lifestyle factors, face higher risks.
• These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and personalized treatment strategies.