IMPACT OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG-INDUCED ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS

Background: Psychotropic medications are integral to managing psychiatric disorders; however, their associated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can significantly impair patients’ quality of life (QOL). Objective: To evaluate the spectrum of ADRs linked to psychotropic drug use and assess their impact on QOL among psychiatric patients at a tertiary care centre. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 105 patients from the psychiatry outpatient and inpatient departments of JLN Medical College, Ajmer, were assessed. ADRs were documented using standard Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) reporting formats. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire evaluated QOL. Causality and severity of ADRs were determined using the WHO-UMC scale and Hartwig’s criteria, respectively. Results: A total of 264 ADRs were recorded, with slurred speech (35.2%), rigidity (18.1%), and tremors (17.1%) being the most frequent. Antipsychotics, particularly olanzapine (22.8%) and haloperidol (19%), were commonly implicated. Most ADRs were non-serious (91.4%) and classified as probable (54%) or possible (42%). Patients experiencing moderate-to-severe ADRs showed significant declines in physical (p=0.004) and psychological (p=0.008) QOL domains. Conclusion: ADRs from psychotropic medications adversely affect patients’ QOL, especially in physical and psychological aspects. Regular monitoring and individualized therapeutic strategies are crucial to mitigate these effects and enhance treatment outcomes.