Iris Cole interviews Dr. Oren Tene about depression and its treatment (Walla System)
Factors such as family genetics, stressful environment, personality, and hormonal and physical changes trigger depression in people. But did you know that certain widely used prescription medications can also cause depression as a side effect?
Depression is a very common illness and one in six people will suffer from it during their lifetime. Depression is characterized by low mood, lack of interest and pleasure in almost all activities. Children and adolescents will experience irritability, in adults it will manifest itself in sadness. It can also be accompanied by changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, decreased energy, as well as feelings of worthlessness and guilt, difficulty concentrating and thinking, difficulty making decisions, and difficult thoughts about death and sometimes suicidal intentions, planning, and suicidal attempts.
Possible side effect
According to a study published in 2018, more than one-third of U.S. adults are prescribed medications that can cause depression, with the risk of drug-induced depression increasing if a person takes more than one medication that is labeled as a potential side effect. Some medications can also cause interactions and cause unexpected side effects. This is one of the reasons why it's important to talk to your doctor if you're taking multiple medications at the same time.
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Common medications that trigger depression
According to the Medical Daily website there are 5 medications that can trigger depression:1. Beta-blockers:
Beta-blockers are common medications for hypertension. They are also used to treat migraines, irregular heartbeat, angina and tremors. Certain beta-blockers like atenolol, metoprol, and carvedilol can cause symptoms of depression.
2. Hormonal drugs:
Changes in hormone levels in women can often provoke symptoms of depression. The use of hormonal contraceptives in the form of birth control pills and IUDs, and estrogen replacement therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms can cause depression as a side effect.
3. Parkinson's medications:
Studies have shown that Parkinson's disease itself is associated with a high risk of depression. Medications such as levodopa or cinnamet CR are used to treat Parkinson's. These drugs can affect a person's mood as they can raise dopamine levels for long periods.
4. Corticosteroids:
They are often known as corticosteroids. They are used to treat a variety of conditions such as rashes and inflammatory conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Steroid use can affect serotonin, a substance produced by the brain that helps regulate mood.
5. Stimulants:
Stimulant drugs are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and excessive daytime sleepiness with narcolepsy - a neurological disorder that affects the sleep and wake cycle. They can lead to drug dependence, causing symptoms such as fatigue and difficulty sleeping when people stop taking the medications.
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