Common Prescription Drugs May Increase Risk for Depression

More than one-third of U.S. adults are taking prescription medications that may have depression as a negative side effect, new research finds. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, warns that depression is a potential side effect of more than 200 commonly prescribed medications, including beta blockers for blood pressure, birth control pills, antacids, and painkillers.

The researchers found that 37 percent of Americans are taking at least one of these drugs, and 10% are taking 3 or more. The likelihood of depression increased the more drugs people used.

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from a survey of more than 26,000 Americans over the course of nine years. They asked the participants to look at their medicine cabinets at the prescription drugs they had used within the last month and screened them for depression.

"If you were not taking a medication that had depression]listed as a side effect, in that survey you had a 5 percent chance of depression," CBS News medical contributor Dr. Tara Narula told "CBS This Morning".  "That's compared to about a 15 percent risk of depression if you were taking three or more drugs that had depression listed as a side effect."

The study also found that the numbers of Americans taking medications that have side effects listed as depression increased over the nine-year period. In 2013/14, almost 10% of Americans took 3 or more of the medications in question. In 2005/06, that figure was only 6.9%

So how concerned should you be? Experts say it's hard to know from just this study which does not show a cause and effect.  Dr Narula explained that  "It could in fact be that the drugs are leading to depression. However, it could be that people had pre-existing depression." Another possibility is that the chronic medical conditions they're taking the medications for, such as heart conditions, cancer, etc. may be what's causing depression and not the drugs.

Still, everyone can take steps to help reduce the risk of depression. 

Patients need to bring up their history of depression when they see their doctor doctor. Questions to ask your doctor include:

  • Can the meds that I'm taking increase the risk for depression?

  • Do I need to be on these meds? Are there alternatives?

  • How long do I need to be on them?

  • What is the plan if I experience increased symptoms of depression?

Doctors also play an important role. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that every adult be screened for depression. 

Especially when you go to a specialist, for example a cardiologist or an orthopedic specialist, they may not be looking at the whole picture of all the drugs you're taking. That's why it is important to keep the primary care doctors in the know about all of the drugs so they can analyze potential drug interactions and potential negative side effects.
Also, be sure to read the package of your prescription medications and be aware of the side effects. Careful, though:  some over-the-counter medicines, like proton pump inhibitors, don't have this information readily available.

Be sure to talk to the professionals! "Talk to your pharmacist. Talk to your doctor," Narula said. "Ask questions!"

Citation

Qato DM, Ozenberger K, Olfson M.  Prevalence of Prescription Medications With Depression as a Potential  Adverse Effect Among Adults in the United States. JAMA. 2018;319(22):2289�“2298. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.6741

Ryan Tait