Medications that can Cause Depression

  • Amphetamines
  • Antihypertensives (clonidine, propranolol, thiazides, reserpine)
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Cimetidine
  • Cocaine
  • Hormones (oral contraceptives)
  • Interferon
  • Isotretinoin
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
  • Ranitidine
  • Steroids

Questions should also be directed at the possibility of recreational drug or alcohol use. Studies suggest that 10% to 30% of alcoholic patients suffer from depression. Ideally, patients who are using mind-altering substances should discontinue them and
be reevaluated before antidepressant drug treatment is initiated. In the real world, this often is impossible, and treatment of depression with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) may help promote abstinence from alcohol. Use of tricyclic
antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors should be avoided in this group.




Comments

PlainJane, United States

This was a very helpful article in doing an assignment for Abnormal Psychology at Colorado Technical University in my RN to BSN program. Thank you.