Irrational Use of Antidepressants among Health Course Students at a University in Paraná

Abstract

Introduction: Depression and anxiety are increasingly prevalent diseases in society. Among students, the frequency of anxiety and depression has shown a significant increase in diagnoses and the practice of self-medication. Methodology: This paper presents a digital survey conducted with students in the health field (Biomedicine, Nursing, Psychology, and Dentistry) at a university in Paraná, to assess the incidence of antidepressant use, which classes are most commonly used, and the most common adverse reactions among students. Results and Discussion: The survey had a sample of 557 students, 85.6% female, and 14.4% male. The health-related courses have a higher prevalence of developing anxiety and depression, primarily among females (Araujo, et al, 2022), due to anatomical, physiological, and hormonal differences (Maalof, et al, 2023). Despite the requirement of a medical prescription (Portaria 344-98), 5.4% (AF: 30) of the participants reported self-medicating. Wilkon (2021) showed that 21.5% of the interviewees got medication through family members and 12.9% without a medical prescription, highlighting the increase in self-medication. Among the medications mentioned by the participants, Sertraline was the most used at 19.2% (AF: 107), followed by Fluoxetine at 18.7% (AF: 104) and Clonazepam at 12% (AF: 67). SSRIs are recommended as first-line treatment for depression; the active ingredients include fluoxetine and sertraline (Lopes, et al, 2024). Regarding antidepressants’ adverse reactions, insomnia (19.2%) and dizziness (15.8%) were the most common, followed by hand tremors (12%), dry mouth (11.5%), and weight gain (11%). About 78 participants started using antidepressants during their studies, and of these, 47 students started using them in their first year. Conclusion: The research identified a significant number of students who have used or are still using antidepressants, highlighting the prevalence of this type of medication in the academic environment. Additionally, a concerning practice of self-medication was observed, reinforcing the need for greater awareness about the risks of this behavior.