A Cross-Sectional Observational Study to Evaluate the Patterns of Adverse Drug Reactions Associated with the Use of Antipsychotic Medications (Code-T0234)

Background: Antipsychotic medications are commonly prescribed for the treatment of various psychiatric disorders, but their use is often associated with a range of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). These ADRs can significantly affect patient compliance, treatment outcomes, and quality of life. Identifying and understanding these reactions is crucial for improving the safety of antipsychotic therapies.

Aim and Objectives:

Aim - to determine the severity of ADR’s associated with antipsychotic medication(s).

• Primary objective – to assess ADRs associated with antipsychotic medications using Hartwig scale.
  • Secondary objective(s) – To identify the drug with the most severe ADR’s.
  • To identify the drug with maximum number of ADR’s.
  • To identify the most common ADR observed with each drug.
  • To assess the preventability of the ADR’s using Modified Schumock Thornton scale.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a psychiatric care center, involving 200 patients receiving antipsychotic medications. Data on demographics, psychiatric diagnoses, prescribed antipsychotic drugs, and reported ADRs were collected. ADRs were categorized by type (e.g., extrapyramidal symptoms, metabolic disturbances, sedation), and the severity was graded based on clinical assessment. The relationship between drug type and ADR occurrence was analyzed statistically.

Results: Of the 200 patients, 60% reported experiencing at least one ADR related to antipsychotic medications. The most common ADRs were extrapyramidal symptoms (25%), weight gain (20%), and sedation (18%). A significant association was found between the use of first-generation antipsychotics and the prevalence of extrapyramidal symptoms, while second-generation antipsychotics were more frequently linked to metabolic disturbances.

Conclusion: Adverse drug reactions are common among patients on antipsychotic medications, with extrapyramidal symptoms, weight gain, and sedation being the most frequently reported. Regular monitoring and individualized treatment plans are essential to minimize these adverse effects and improve patient compliance.

Keywords: Antipsychotic medications, adverse drug reactions, extrapyramidal symptoms, metabolic disturbances, sedation, psychiatric disorders.