EFFECTS OF COMMONLY USED ANTIDEPRESSANTS ON PSYCHOMOTOR FUNCTIONS IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSION: A PROSPECTIVE OPEN LABEL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

*Dr. Prashant Mishra

ABSTRACT

Context: Cognitive and psychomotor functions are impaired often in patients with depression and their further impairment by antidepressants is undesirable Data on effect of commonly prescribed antidepressants on psychomotor functions in patients with depression in the Indian context are limited. Aim: Study aimed to determine the effects of commonly prescribed antidepressants (Doxepin, Fluoxetine, Citalopram, Sertraline) on psychomotor functions in patients with depression. Materials and Methods: 100 participants [20 healthy volunteers and 80 with depression being treated with one of following daily medication: doxepin (75 mg) / Fluoxetine (20 mg) / Citalopram (20 mg) / Sertraline (50 mg) for 12 weeks] were put to various psychomotor function tests (DSST, SDCT, CFFT, SVL, HST, Trail A and B). Results were compared and analyzed. Statistical analysis used: Comparisons were made using one–way analysis of variance [ANOVA] for all psychomotor tests except CFFT (Kruskal Wallis Test used), followed by Bonferroni multiple comparison test. Results: The psychomotor tests were impaired most by fluoxetine [20 mg/day] and doxepin [75 mg/day], followed by citalopram [20 mg/day] and sertraline [50 mg/day] in comparison to control group. Conclusions: Psychomotor impairment is an important consideration while treating patients with depression; participants treated with sertraline suffer lesser impairment in psychomotor function in comparison to many of the other commonly prescribed SSRIs.

Keywords: Antidepressants, depression, psychomotor function.