Comparison of the Effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Mirtazapine on Hyponatremia in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Preliminary Report.
- Author:
Young Eun JUNG
1
;
Sang Ha KIM
;
Ho Jun SEO
;
Jeong Ho CHAE
;
Tae Youn JUN
;
Won Myong BAHK
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. wmbahk@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hyponatremia;
SSRI;
Mirtazapine;
Major depressive disorder
- MeSH:
Aged;
Antidepressive Agents;
Depressive Disorder, Major;
Humans;
Hyponatremia;
Inpatients;
Medical Records;
Mianserin;
Prevalence;
Retrospective Studies;
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors;
Sodium
- From:Korean Journal of Psychopharmacology
2008;19(3):156-162
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Hyponatremia (serum sodium arbitrarily defined as less than 135 mmol/L) is an increasingly recognized adverse effect of antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This study compared the prevalence of hyponatremia associated with the use of SSRIs to that associated with mirtazapine in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: The retrospective study included inpatients with MDD who had been treated with an antidepressant over a period of at least 4 weeks. The medical records of 58 patients treated with a SSRI and those of 48 patients treated with mirtazapine were analyzed. Demographic variables and serum sodium levels (at baseline, week 2, week 4) were compared between SSRI users and mirtazapine users. RESULTS: Four patients (6.9%) from the SSRI group (N=58) exhibitedhyponatremia during the study period. At week 2, patients treated with a SSRI had lower serum sodium levels than the patients treated with mirtazapine, but at week 4, serum sodium levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. Elderly subjects (60 years and older) in the SSRI group exhibited lower serum sodium levels at weeks 2 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that among patients with MDD, SSRI treatment may be associated with decreased serum sodium levels, and that elderly patients are at greater risk for hyponatremia. Further prospective studies would help clarify the relative risks of hyponatremia among various antidepressants, including SSRIs and others.
