Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2001 Sep;12(3):177-186.

Cardiovascular Adverse Effects of Psychotropic Medications

• Kang UG

Abstract

The adverse cardiovascular effects of some psychotropic drugs are well known. The brain and the heart share same neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels. This means that the medications affecting the central nervous system also have effects on the cardiovascular system and vice versa. In the patients with psychiatric disorders such as depression, the prevalence of cardiovascular disorder is increased. Conversely, depression is common in the patients with cardiovascular diseases and the presence of depression affects the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, recent increase in the geriatric population accompanies the increase in the patients with comorbid chronic cardiovascular and mental disorders. These suggest that an adequate consideration about the cardiovascular problems is mandatory in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. In this article, the author reviews the adverse cardiovascular effects of psychotropic medications in the theoretical and clinical aspects. The author also briefly summarizes the interactions between cardiovascular and psychotropic medications. Finally, the author presents two cases of potentially serious cardiovascular adverse effects of psychotropics, and then proposes a brief strategy for the prevention of these problems.

Keyword

Psychotropics; Cardiovascular side effect; Drug interaction; Arrhythmia

MeSH Terms

Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Brain
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular System
Central Nervous System
Depression
Drug Interactions
Heart
Humans
Ion Channels
Mental Disorders
Prevalence
Prognosis
Psychotropic Drugs
Receptors, Neurotransmitter
Ion Channels
Psychotropic Drugs
Receptors, Neurotransmitter