Side Effects of Medications and Adherence to Medication in Patients Using Antipsychotics

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the medication side-effects, medication adherence and their relationship in patients who take antipsychotic medication at an outpatient clinic.

Method: The descriptive and correlational study was carried out with a total of 117 outpatients who met the research criteria and willing to participate in research in the psychiatry clinic of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. Data were collected with a sociodemografic form, The Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale-LUNSERS, Morisky’s Questions-Self Report Measure of Adherence. Data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis Test and Mann Whitney-U Test, Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient and Spearmans’ rho corelation analysis.

Results: It was determined that patients experienced at least one medication side effect and they frequently experienced tiredness and difficulty in concentrating and remembering thing . Medication adherence was determined to be high in 47.9%, medium in 43.6% of the patients. The patients with low adherence experienced more psychologic side-effects compared to the patients with high adherence.

Conclusion: In conclusion, it was determined that the patients experienced medical side effects frequently, the rate of medical adherence in patients was high and the psychologic side-effects affected the adherence.