Medicines That Cause Depression
Medicines That Cause Depression
If you think a drug you're taking might be causing your depression, you may be right. Certain medications prescribed for various medical conditions do cause such feelings as sadness, despair, and discouragement. And those are feelings that are often associated with depression. Other medicines prescribed for medical problems can trigger mania (excessive elation and energy) that's usually associated with bipolar disorder.
Medications that cause mania or depression appear to alter brain chemicals in some way. And even though the drugs may be necessary to treat the condition, the side effect is hardly acceptable. As an example, Accutane, which is prescribed for the treatment of acne, has been found to also sometimes cause depression. So have oral contraceptives, high blood pressure drugs, and even statins that treat high cholesterol.
Creative Outlets for Recovery from Depression
Many people find that expressing themselves -- through writing, art, or music -- helps them feel better, especially if they are recovering from depression.Don't worry if you never thought of yourself as an artistic or creative person. The idea is not to come up with a masterpiece that will be part of a public art exhibit. In fact, you don't have to show your work to anyone else if you don't want to.But the act of expressing yourself, of creating something original that comes out of your feelings...
Read the Creative Outlets for Recovery from Depression article > >
The best way to know if a drug could be affecting your mood in a negative way is to know which medicines commonly cause depression or mania. Then talk to your doctor to see if any of the medicines you are taking are likely causing or contributing to mood symptoms, and if so, discuss whether a different medication may be a better choice. Your doctor should let you know up front which drugs might cause feelings of depression or mania and should evaluate whether mood symptoms are or are not likely related to medicines.
The following drugs could cause symptoms of mania. Even though the risk for some of these drugs might not be high, you should discuss the risk with your doctor if you take them:
Medications that cause mania or depression appear to alter brain chemicals in some way. And even though the drugs may be necessary to treat the condition, the side effect is hardly acceptable. As an example, Accutane, which is prescribed for the treatment of acne, has been found to also sometimes cause depression. So have oral contraceptives, high blood pressure drugs, and even statins that treat high cholesterol.
Recommended Related to Depression
Creative Outlets for Recovery from Depression
Many people find that expressing themselves -- through writing, art, or music -- helps them feel better, especially if they are recovering from depression.Don't worry if you never thought of yourself as an artistic or creative person. The idea is not to come up with a masterpiece that will be part of a public art exhibit. In fact, you don't have to show your work to anyone else if you don't want to.But the act of expressing yourself, of creating something original that comes out of your feelings...
Read the Creative Outlets for Recovery from Depression article > >
How Can I Kinow if a Drug May Be Causing Depression or Mania?
The best way to know if a drug could be affecting your mood in a negative way is to know which medicines commonly cause depression or mania. Then talk to your doctor to see if any of the medicines you are taking are likely causing or contributing to mood symptoms, and if so, discuss whether a different medication may be a better choice. Your doctor should let you know up front which drugs might cause feelings of depression or mania and should evaluate whether mood symptoms are or are not likely related to medicines.
Drugs That Might Cause Mania (Excessive Elation)
The following drugs could cause symptoms of mania. Even though the risk for some of these drugs might not be high, you should discuss the risk with your doctor if you take them:
- Corticosteroids. This group of drugs decreases inflammation (swelling) and reduces the activity of the immune system (cells that fight infection). Examples include hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, prednisone, Flonase, Nasocort, Nasonex, Flovent, and Azmacort.
- Cyclosporine. This drug is used to suppress the immune system to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs.
- Dopar (levodopa). This medicine treats Parkinson's disease.
- Lioresal. This is a muscle relaxant and antispastic agent. It's often used to treat multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries.
- All antidepressants, including MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as Parnate or Nardil), SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac, Lexapro and Paxil), SNRIs (serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as Effexor, Pristiq, Khedezla, Fetzima, and Cymbalta), and tricyclic antidepressants (such Elavil or Pamelor).
- Ritalin or amphetamine. These are stimulant drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Synthroid. This drug is commonly prescribed as a thyroidhormone replacement.
- Certain antibiotics, such as ciproflozacin and gentamicin
- Antimalarial drugs, such as mefloquine and chloroquine
- Antineoplastic drugs such as 5-fluorouracil and ifosfamide
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