ABTRACT

Aim: To determine and compare hepatotoxic effects caused by escitalopram versus sertraline in patients with major depressive disorder.

Study Design: Comparative longitudinal study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI) & Neuropsychiatry Ward of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Karachi from January 2017 to December 2017.

Methods: One hundred and twenty eight patients divided into four groups; group 1 (recent users for a period of >1 month to ≤3 months), group 2 (drug users for a period of >6 months to ≤9 months), group 3 (drug users for a period of >1 year to ≤2 years and group 4 (drug users for a period of >2years to ≤5 years.) and each group consists of 32 patients. Out of these 32 patients, 16 patients were escitalopram users (10-20mg) and 16 patients were sertraline users (50mg). Out of these 16 patients, 8 patients were males and 8 patients were females.

Results:The mean comparison of LFT parameters between two treatment groups results showed in escitalopram samples, mean±SD for Bilirubin was 0.91±0.38, SGPT 61.24±12.0, alkaline phosphatase 213.63±53.03, whereas in treatment group sertraline, mean±SD of bilirubin was 0.69±0.16, SGPT 36.88±9.34, alkaline phosphatase 221.69±108.9, there was significant mean difference observed for bilirubin and SGPT between two treatment groups with p-value less than 0.01.

Conclusion:Both escitalopram and sertraline can cause hepatotoxicity.

Keywords: Major depressive disorder (MDD), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Liver function test (LFT)