Use of Common Drugs with Depression as Side Effect Increasing

from Physician's First Watch June 13, 2018

Use of Common Drugs with Depression as Side Effect Increasing

By Kelly Young

Edited by
- Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM

Use of common drugs with depression as a possible side effect is increasing -- and the more of these drugs patients take, the greater their likelihood for depression -- a JAMA study finds.

Researchers used data from 26,000 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005 and 2014. Roughly 37% said that within the past 30 days, they had used at least one medication that listed depression as a possible side effect (for example, proton pump inhibitors). That proportion increased over time.

The prevalence of depression was 5% for people who didn't take any of these drugs, 7% for those taking one of these drugs, and 15% for those taking three or more. Strikingly, the depression prevalence was 61% among those co-prescribed gabapentin and cyclobenzaprine.

The authors note: "The results suggest that physicians should consider discussing these associations with their patients who are prescribed medications that have depression as a potential adverse effect."

Link(s):
JAMA article (Free abstract) http://response.jwatch.org/t?ctl=377A0:5FF9B588B7CB016C4839A525CA813037D2B71D9A95FA21D3&

Background: NEJM Journal Watch Psychiatry coverage of suicidality and antiepileptic drugs (Your NEJM Journal Watch registration required) http://response.jwatch.org/t?ctl=377A1:5FF9B588B7CB016C4839A525CA813037D2B71D9A95FA21D3&