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An analysis of the effects of three commonly prescribed antidepressant agents on psychomotor function

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Abstract

Background

Cognitive and psychomotor impairment are important considerations in the management of depression. Antidepressant agents show differential effects on psychomotor performance. These are usually reversible with effective antidepressant treatment.

Objective

To evaluate the effects the commonly prescribed antidepressant agents imipramine, fluoxetine and citalopram on psychomotor function in patients with depression using a battery of three simple tests.

Study design

60 adult patients with depression who had no history of taking antidepressant drugs were randomly selected from the psychiatry outpatient department of a hospital. The clinical status and psychomotor performance of patients were assessed at the beginning of treatment, and at the end of 1, 4 and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment with imipramine, fluoxetine or citalopram.

Results

Fluoxetine and citalopram showed significant improvement on psychomotor function tests relative to imipramine, and clinical condition improved to a similar extent with all the three drugs.

Conclusion

In depressive patients in whom psychomotor function impairment is significantly troublesome, treatment with antidepressants with relatively non-sedating and non-impairing profiles may be preferred.

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Acknowledgement

Dr. G. K. Vankar, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry at B J Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad for providing the necessary support in enrolling, interviewing and interacting with patients in the OPD

Disclosure

No sources of funding were used to conduct this study or prepare the manuscript. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd, 101 Setu Courtyard, Paldi, Ahmedabad, 380006, Gujarat, India

    Dimple V. Shah

  2. Department of Pharmacology, B J Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

    C. K. Desai & R. K. Dikshit

  3. Department of Pharmacology, GMERS Medical College and Civil Hospital, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

    Darshan J. Dave

Authors
  1. Dimple V. Shah
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  2. C. K. Desai
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  3. R. K. Dikshit
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  4. Darshan J. Dave
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Correspondence to Dimple V. Shah.

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Shah, D.V., Desai, C.K., Dikshit, R.K. et al. An analysis of the effects of three commonly prescribed antidepressant agents on psychomotor function. Drugs Ther Perspect 29, 324–328 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-013-0068-2

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