Abstract

Background: Patients non-compliance with medication regimens is one of the most common reasons for the relapse of psychiatric symptoms and the need for repeated hospitalization. The present study examines the pharmacological factors associated with poor drug compliance. Aim and
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacological factors contributing to non-compliance among psychiatric patients taking psychotropic drugs.
Materials and Methods: A hospital outpatient-based and cross-sectional observational studywas carried out in the Department of Psychiatry, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, Tirunelveli, after the approval from IEC. Totally 200 patients on various psychotropic drugs with poor drug compliance were included in the study. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a semi-structured questionnaire.
Results: Non-compliance was more among males (55.3%), coolie/daily wage laborers (33.1%), and unemployed (31.6%). The major pharmacological factors affecting compliance with intake of psychotropic drugs: Adverse drug reactions due to drug (33.7%), Unpalatability (25.6%), and longer treatment duration (18.1%). Conclusion: Low medication adherence is a common problem among psychiatric patients. Adverse drug reactions are the most common pharmacological factor influencing drug compliance.