After two weeks of taking ]]>isotretinoin]]> (Accutane), an acne medication, 19-year-old Joe began experiencing fatigue, lack of motivation, sleep problems, and crying spells. He was diagnosed with ]]>depression]]> (something his doctor eventually believed was related to his use of Accutane). When Joe stopped taking the medication, his symptoms quickly resolved.

In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about isotretinoin, stating that it can cause symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts. But, many consumers are unaware that numerous other medications can also cause depression.

Symptoms of Depression

Depression is a condition characterized by feelings of profound sadness and lack of interest in formerly enjoyable activities. Symptoms may include:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness, ]]>anxiety]]> , or emptiness
  • Hopelessness
  • Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
  • Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
  • Loss of interest in sex
  • Feeling tired
  • Trouble concentrating, remembering, making decisions
  • Trouble sleeping, waking up too early, or oversleeping
  • Eating more or less than usual
  • Weight gain or weight loss
  • Thoughts of death or suicide, with or without suicide attempts
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Physical symptoms that defy standard diagnosis and do not respond well to medical treatment

Medications Reported to Cause Depression

This table, from the The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics, provides examples of medications that can cause depression:

DrugGeneral Treatment Uses
]]>Acyclovir]]> (Zovirax)]]>Chickenpox]]> , ]]>shingles]]> , ]]>herpes]]>
Amphetamines]]>Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]]> , ]]>narcolepsy]]>
Anabolic steroidsOften used illicitly by athletes to build muscle
Anticonvulsants Seizures, ]]>epilepsy]]> , pain
]]>Asparaginase]]> (Elspar)Blood cancers
]]>Baclofen]]> (Lioresal) Muscle spasms, cramps, muscle tightness from ]]>multiple sclerosis]]> , ]]>cerebral palsy]]> , and spinal cord injuries
Barbiturates Seizures, ]]>insomnia]]>
BenzodiazepinesAnxiety, convulsions, insomnia
Beta-adrenergic blockers (]]>beta blockers]]>)Cardiovascular conditions
]]>Bromocriptine]]> (Parlodel) Menstrual problems, lactation problems, ]]>infertility]]>, ]]>Parkinson’s disease]]> , ]]>acromegaly]]> , tumors of the pituitary gland
Calcium channel blockersCardiovascular conditions
Corticosteroids Inflammatory conditions, ]]>asthma]]> , arthritis, cancer
]]>Cycloserine]]> (Seromycin)]]>Tuberculosis]]>
]]>Dapsone]]> (Aczone)Leprosy, dermatitis herpetiformis
Digitalis (Lanoxin, digoxin, digitoxin)Cardiac conditions
]]>Disopyramide]]> (Norpace)Abnormal heart rhythms
]]>Disulfiram]]> (Antabuse)]]>Alcohol abuse]]>
Estrogens]]>Menopause]]> , prevention of ]]>osteoporosis]]> , certain cancers
Fluoroquinolone antibioticsBacterial infections in different parts of the body
Histamine H2-receptor antagonistsAcid-related diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)Lipid disorders
Interferon alfa (Roferon-A)]]>Hairy cell leukemia]]> , malignant ]]>melanoma]]> , AIDS-related ]]>Kaposi’s sarcoma]]> , growths in the respiratory tract, ]]>genital warts]]> , certain types of hepatitis
]]>Isotretinoin]]> (Accutane) Severe ]]>acne]]> , ]]>rosacea]]> , other skin diseases
Levodopa (Dopar)Parkinson’s disease
]]>Mefloquine]]> (Lariam)]]>Malaria]]> prevention and treatment
]]>Methyldopa]]> (Aldomet)]]>High blood pressure]]>
]]>Metoclopramide]]> (Reglan) Diabetic gastroparesis, nausea, vomiting, fullness after meals, loss of appetite, ]]>heartburn]]>
Metrizamide (Amipaque)For diagnosis of brain disorders, cardiac disease, central nervous system disorders, urinary tract disorders, vascular disease
]]>Metronidazole]]> (Flagyl)Infections
NarcoticsPain
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugsArthritis, inflammatory conditions, pain
]]>Pergolide]]> (Permax)Parkinson’s disease
Progestins, implanted (]]>Norplant]]>)Birth control
SulfonamidesInfections
Thiazide diureticsHigh blood pressure
]]>Vinblastine]]> (Velban)Certain cancers

Other medications may also cause depression. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about your concerns.

Medication or Depression: Which Comes First?

Do certain medications cause depression or are people with depression more apt to take certain medications? The relationship is not always clear.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, people taking medications that are linked to depression often have chronic conditions, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, or an unrecognized mental illness, which may also put them at risk for depression. Furthermore, people with chronic conditions may also be dealing with psychosocial factors, such as disability, unemployment, and other stressors that increase their risk for depression.

It is also known that people with a personal history of depression are more likely to experience depression as an adverse reaction to certain medications. Nonetheless, drug-induced depression does not generally meet diagnostic criteria for “major depressive disorder.” Instead, it more commonly resembles “atypical depression,” suggesting that drugs may indeed be the cause in affected individuals.

The elderly may be at higher risk for drug-induced depression. Many elderly people take multiple medications, and it is possible that drugs which may not cause depression when given by themselves could do so when given in combination. While many drugs (as in the above list) have been thought to be able to cause depression, rigorous studies provide at least limited evidence for causation in only a few. Among these better-proven causes are:

  • Mefloquine
  • Alpha interferon
  • Interleukin-2
  • Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists
  • Progestin-releasing implanted contraceptives
  • Corticosteroids
  • Propranolol

Of these drugs, only the last three are commonly prescribed. The others are typically used to treat serious or life-threatening conditions in people under close medical supervision.

Talk to Your Doctor

Most people who take any of the medications above will not become depressed. And not all cases of depression in people taking these medications will be a result of the medication. However, if you are taking one or more of these medications and have been feeling unusually sad, talk to your doctor about it. But even if you are not taking medications on the list, talk to your doctor about any symptoms of depression you may have. Whatever the cause, treatment can make you feel better, be more productive, and be better able to overcome whatever other health problems you might have.