Cognitive tolerability following successful long term treatment of major depression and anxiety disorders with SSRi antidepressants.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The present study aims to evaluate cognitive tolerability profile of SSRIs in long-term treatment. The secondary aim is to explore differences of side effects profile between patients with major depression (MD) and anxiety disorders (AD).

METHODS:

Sixty-seven consecutive patients, successfully treated with SSRIs in monotherapy for at least six months for MD or AD, were assessed for side effects, with a special focus on cognition.

RESULTS:

Over 20% of MD and AD patients in long term treatment with SSRIs reported cognitive symptoms including fatigue, inattentiveness, lack of concentration, memory impairment and apathy. Recall memory impairment, attention deficit and somnolence were most frequently rated as moderate or severe. There were no significant differences in SSRI cognitive side effects profile between MD and AD patients.

LIMITATIONS:

Subjective measure of cognitive functioning, limited sample size, lack of a control group.

CONCLUSIONS:

A large proportion of depressed and anxious patients treated successfully with SSRIs for over six months reported cognitive, affective, motivational symptoms. These symptoms are likely to represent SSRI side effects rather than residual depressive symptomatology.

• Authors: Dina Popovic, Eduard Vieta, Michele Fornaro, Giulio Perugi
• Journal: Journal of affective disorders (J Affect Disord) Vol. 173 Pg. 211-5 (Mar 01 2015) ISSN: 1573-2517 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 25462418 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents
• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors

Topics

• Adult
• Antidepressive Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Anxiety Disorders (drug therapy, psychology)
• Apathy (drug effects)
• Cognition (drug effects)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (drug therapy, psychology)
• Fatigue (chemically induced)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Memory Disorders (chemically induced)
• Middle Aged
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)