Abstract

DRUG UTILIZATION REVIEW OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS IN PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER AND BIPOLAR DEPRESSION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Anamika G.*, Merin Ann Philip, Trudy Mary Sunny, Rani Manju, Roy Abraham Kallivayalil, Archana Vijay and Santhosh M. Mathews

ABSTRACT

Bipolar depression and major depressive disorder are the most common illness globally and when patients do not follow prescribed antidepressant regimen or discontinue the therapy, it results in suboptimal treatment, relapse rate and poor quality of life. The main aim is to study the drug utilization evaluation of antidepressants in patients with Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder and to check the medication adherence along with potential drug-drug interactions. The study was conducted in psychiatry department of Pushpagiri Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla. 69 prescriptions with antidepressants were collected in a specially designed proforma containing demographic details, disease and drug data. Moreover, during follow up, medication adherence was noted. The data was analysed statistically and the results were expressed as numbers and percentage. A total of 69 patients were analysed. Among these, 52% were male and 48% were female. Most Commonly affected age group and those who received maximum of the antidepressant were between 55 and 65 years. Escitalopram (29%) was the most prescribed antidepressant. The average number of drugs per prescription was found to be 3.05. In our study, 30.4% of drugs were prescribed by their generic name and the remaining 69.6% were brand names. There is a need for drug utilization studies to encourage rational and appropriate use of drugs. Moreover, it is very important to check the medication adherence and drug interactions to antidepressant drug pattern use. In this study, the use of antidepressants in patient was found to be appropriate.

Keywords: Drug Utilization Review, Antidepressant, Medication adherence, Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Depression.