The practitioner cope with adverse events on atypical antipsychotics: About 63 patients with schizophrenia

Introduction The propensity of atypical antipsychotics (AAP) for having a therapeutic effect with fewer side effects and the balancing of these supposed benefits with tolerance are the subject of many studies. Aims and objectives We focused on adverse drug events (ADEs), occurred under AAP, in a population of patients with schizophrenia to assess the prevalences and describe how the practitioner deal with these ADEs. Methods We have used a retrospective and descriptive study of 63 Tunisian patients with schizophrenia, consulting in the adult outpatient of Razi hospital and treated by one type of AAP. The study period was 6 months from the 1st January 2015. We used the Birchwood Insight Scale (BIS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) to assess the insight, psychotic symptoms and ADEs. Results Twenty-four patients were on risperidone, 22 on olanzapine, 8 on amisulpride and 9 on clozapine. Antiparkinsonism drug (15.9%) was associated because of neurological ADEs mainly Parkinsonism. Asthenia had a prevalence of 20.6%. Hypersalivation and palpitation were estimated at 7.9% both. Weight gain's prevalence was 25.4%, including 1 case associated with hypercholesterolemia and 1 case of unbalanced non-insulin-dependent diabetes. The erectile dysfunction's prevalence was 36.3% and decreased libido 27%. There were 2 cases of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. The management of these ADEs was observed when they moderately began to influence the patient's daily activity. Conclusion ADEs must be subject to an appropriate treatment and if necessary resort to a specialist consultation to confirm or deny imputability to AAP.