Prescriptions With Depression As Possible Side Effect

Using data collected from the US government in the ongoing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey researchers analyzed data including responses from a 9 item depression and suicidality questionnaire. It has been found that individuals who take medications with suicidal thoughts or depression listed as a possible side effect are more likely to be suicidal or depressed. It was also found that 37% of respondents used at least one prescription medication with depression listed as a possible side effect, use of these medications has increased, and individuals who take them were more likely to be 65+ years of age, widowed, female, and have other chronic health problems. Responders taking no medications with depression listed as a possible side effect had a likelihood of depression to be 5%, which remained stable regardless of how many medications they took without depression listed as a possible side effect.   

Likelihood of depression increased for each medication used with depression listed as a possible side effect: for 1 medication risk was 7%; 2 medications risk was 9.5%; 3 medications or more risk was 15%. Which means individuals taking 3 medications with depression as a possible side effect had double likelihood of having depression, and individuals taking 3 had triple likelihood of having depression. The same analysis was conducted for medications with suicidal thoughts as a possible side effect with adjusting for those taking antidepressants. Individuals taking medications without suicidal thoughts as a possible side effect had 5% likelihood, the likelihood of suicidal thoughts increased for each medication with suicidal thoughts as a possible side effect: for individuals taking one medication it was 8%; for two medications it was 12%; and for three or more medications it was 18%. Once more meaning the more medications taking the greater the likelihood.

Analysis limited to individuals taking an antidepressant had findings of: those who took medications without depression as a possible side effect risk of depression was 14%; for one medication risk was 18%; for two medications risk was 27.5%, and risk for three or more medications was 28%. Following the pattern of the more medications with depression as a possible risk the greater the likelihood.

There are over 200 medications with depression as a possible side effect. Some of the most common among those are:

• acid reflux medications such as esomeprazole, famotidine, omeprazole, and ranitidine
• anxiety medications such as alprazolam, diazepam, and lorazepam
• antiseizure medications such as gabapentin, lamotrigine, and topiramate
• Allergy medications such as cetirizine, and montelukast
• Birth control and hormone therapy medications containing estrogen
• Blood pressure medications such as atenolol, enalapril, metoprolol, and quinapril
• Pain medications such as cyclobenzaprine, ibuprofen, hydrocodone, and tramadol

Given that more and more people are taking medications with suicidal thoughts or depression as possible side effects this study highlights the need to bring more attention to possible consequences of polypharmacy. The CDC has released an update of data showing recent rise in suicide rates, of that 54% who die from suicide do not have known mental health disorder, once more highlighting how important an public health issue this is.

The study did note that individuals who used these medications were more likely to have been widowed or have chronic health problems which are associated with higher risk of depression; and that many of these medications are often prescribed to treat symptoms associated with existing depression which includes pain, anxiety, acid reflux, and insomnia.

Researchers would like as a next step to conduct studies to investigate individuals at random assigned to take these medications or alternates without depression as a possible side effect to be followed overtime to see the outcomes as a randomized, controlled clinical trial, which is the accepted gold standard in research studies.

Furthermore researchers suggest that should you be suffering from depression and taking any of these medications you might want to consider talking to you doctor about switching to something else to see if your mood improves.