Korean J Psychosom Med.
2013 Jun;21(1):3-10.
Comparison of Antidepressants Tolerability in Cancer Patients Referred for Psychiatric Consultation
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Ks2485@empal.com
- 2Department of Psychiatry, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
- 5Department of Psychiatry, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 6Department of Psychiatry, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
- 7Department of Psychiatry, Ilsanpaik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea.
- 8Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Korea.
- 9Department of Psychiatry, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea.
- 10Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Many patients diagnosed with cancer suffer from various psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety and insomnia as well as cancer itself. Patients with cancer are more vulnerable to possible adverse events of psychotropic medications. Although antidepressants are widely used among cancer patients, there is little information about tolerability of antidepressants. This study was conducted to compare tolerability of antidepressants in cancer patients referred for psychiatric consultation.
METHODS
The participants were cancer patients who had been referred to psychiatrist for their psychiatric symptoms. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients diagnosed with cancer from 9 general hospitals in Korea. The discontinuation rate for a 6 months period after treatment initiation for three antidepressants(Escitalopram, Mirtazapine, Paroxetine) were compared.
RESULTS
Antidepressants were prescribed for 96.3% of subjects and Escitalopram 150(47.2%), Mirtazapine 92 (28.9%) and Paroxetine 76(23.9%) were prescribed frequently in order There were no significant differences in discontinuation rates among the three antidepressants during the 6 month period after initiation of pharmacotherapy. But there was a difference in discontinuation rates between inpatients versus outpatients(p<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
In a naturalistic setting for the antidepressant treatment for cancer patients, it seems that there are no differences in discontinuation rates among these three antidepressants. It is therefore essential that such interactions are carefully considered when treating patients of antidepressants who already have cancer.
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