Safety of psychotropic medications in people with COVID-19 : evidence review and practical recommendations
Date
2020-07-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC (part of Springer Nature)
Abstract
Background: The novel coronavirus pandemic calls for a rapid adaptation of conventional medical practices to
meet the evolving needs of such vulnerable patients. People with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may frequently
require treatment with psychotropic medications, but are at the same time at higher risk for safety issues because
of the complex underlying medical condition and the potential interaction with medical treatments.
Methods: In order to produce evidence-based practical recommendations on the optimal management of
psychotropic medications in people with COVID-19, an international, multi-disciplinary working group was
established. The methodology of the WHO Rapid Advice Guidelines in the context of a public health emergency
and the principles of the AGREE statement were followed. Available evidence informing on the risk of respiratory,
cardiovascular, infective, hemostatic, and consciousness alterations related to the use of psychotropic medications,
and drug–drug interactions between psychotropic and medical treatments used in people with COVID-19, was
reviewed and discussed by the working group.
Results: All classes of psychotropic medications showed potentially relevant safety risks for people with COVID-19.
A set of practical recommendations was drawn in order to inform frontline clinicians on the assessment of the
anticipated risk of psychotropic-related unfavorable events, and the possible actions to take in order to effectively
manage this risk, such as when it is appropriate to avoid, withdraw, switch, or adjust the dose of the medication.
Conclusions: The present evidence-based recommendations will improve the quality of psychiatric care in people
with COVID-19, allowing an appropriate management of the medical condition without worsening the psychiatric
condition and vice versa.
Description
CITATION: Ostuzzi, G., et al. 2020. Safety of psychotropic medications in people with COVID-19 : evidence review and practical recommendations. BMC Medicine, 18:215, doi:10.1186/s12916-020-01685-9.
The original publication is available at https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com
The original publication is available at https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com
Keywords
COVID-19 (Disease), Comorbidity, Drug interactions, Psychotropic drugs, Psychopharmacology
Citation
Ostuzzi, G., et al. 2020. Safety of psychotropic medications in people with COVID-19 : evidence review and practical recommendations. BMC Medicine, 18:215, doi:10.1186/s12916-020-01685-9