A STUDY ON DRUG USE PATTERN AND ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS OF ANTI-PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS IN A PSYCHIATRY SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL Original Article

Objective: Anti-psychiatric drugs are associated with a diverse range of peripheral and extra pyramidal adverse effects. These potential adverse effects have led to patient non-compliance to therapy. Hence the study was designed to analyze the drug usage pattern of anti-psychiatrics and the common adverse effects provoked by them. Methods: In our study, 50 patients on treatment with anti-psychiatric drugs were chosen. The study was carried out in a specialized psychiatric hospital. The patients were segregated on the basis of age, gender, social history, disease diagnosis. The drug usage pattern and common adverse effects of anti-psychiatric drugs was observed. Results: Chlorpromazine was found to be the most commonly used drug (62%) followed by olanzapine (50%). Weight gain was found to be the commonly induced adverse effect of anti-psychiatrics (52%) followed by tremors (50%). Conclusion: Better insight and knowledge of the common adverse effects of anti-psychiatric drugs would decrease the incidence of adverse effects. This would eventually increase patient adherence and would enhance therapeutic outcomes.