Utilization pattern of antidepressants in psychiatry wards of a tertiary care hospital in South Kerala, India

Background: Depression is an important public health problem causing impairment of social, occupational and other important areas of function. This study was done to evaluate the utilization pattern of antidepressants in the psychiatry wards of a tertiary care centre in South Kerala.Methods: This retrospective study was carried out in a tertiary care centre of South Kerala from January to March 2016 among 52 inpatients treated with psychotropic drugs for different psychiatric ailments. Data was collected from their case records and analysed using Microsoft excel 2010. Results were expressed in proportions.Results: Case record review of 52 patients showed that married persons and females suffered more from depression (69.2%). Bipolar disorder was the most common diagnosis (80.8%). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) was the most commonly prescribed antidepressant followed by atypical antidepressants. Escitalopram was the most commonly prescribed SSRI, followed by Sertraline. 86.5% required antipsychotics for controlling their psychotic symptoms. One fourth of the patients had hypothyroidism. 7.69 % patients required Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). 5.7% patients developed adverse drug reactions like cogwheel rigidity, neurolept malignant syndrome and Valproate induced hyperammonemia.Conclusions: Most common diagnosis was bipolar illness with majority requiring sodium valproate as treatment. SSRI was preferred among antidepressants. Prompt diagnosis, use of appropriate psychotropic drugs and psychotherapy can improve the quality of life in these patients