Medication Side Effects

That Can Cause Depression or Anxiety

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This is the third time I have updated this list and unfortunately it continues to grow.  

I suggest saving and printing this post to use as a reference for when you or a family member take a new medication. 

I remember in the past when I  would use antibiotics (its been a long time since I have used them, but I used them quite often actually in my younger and “ignorant” years), I would always feel melancholy while I was on them and couldn’t wait to stop and often wouldn’t finish the prescription because of how I felt. It always happened when I went on an antibiotic and it took about 2 weeks afterwards for me to feel like my old self.  Looking back, it was probably minor depression caused by the drug.  I still often wonder if the medication is what caused me to feel that way, or is it because it destroys all your good bacteria that we now know is so vital for our mental well-being.  

 

Most people don’t know the cause of their depression or anxiety.  While medications may help wouldn’t it be better to know the cause and address it?  If your depression or anxiety got worse after a new medication or came on suddenly after you were placed on a drug, check the list below to see if any of these drugs are a factor. 

Your doctor may not even be aware that the medication he placed you on may be causing your mood issues.  It is important to rule out medications you are on, before digging deeper into other root causes for your mood issue.  Save the package insert and read the small print for list of side effects.  

This list is not exhaustive as it seems to be more medications that we are finding can contribute to anxiety and depression. In addition to this, some literature states there is not enough evideince as of yet on some of these medicaitons and findinds are inconlclusive.  

In the end, you know your body best.  Pay attention to how you feel before and during medication use.  If you think that the medication may be contributing to your depression or anxiety, speak with your health care provider who prescribed the medicaiotn.  If he or she refuses to listen to you, find a qualitfied health care person who will before you stop taking your medication.  Sometines the rapid withdrawl side effects can be much worse, depending on the medication you are taking or can be dangerous if you stop taking it.  

If you have had a mood reaction to a drug not listed here, please share and I can pass the information along and update my list.  

Drugs That Can Cause Depression

  • Accutane (for acne)
  • alcohol
  • anticonvulsants (used for seizures/ meds such as Celontin, Zarontin)
  • barbiturates (such as Phenobarbital/used for seizures and anxiety)
  • Benzodiapines (used for anxiety and insomnia/meds such as Ativan, Xanax, and valium)
  • Beta Blockers (used for heart health, HTN, migraines/meds such as Lopressor or Tenormin)
  • Calcium channel blockers (used for slowing heart rate, HTN, CHF/meds such as Cardizem, Tiazac, Procardia)
  • Interferon (For some cancers, hepatitis B and C)
  • Norplant (For birth control)
  • Opioids (used for pain/meds such as codeine, morphine, Demerol, OxyContin) Along with depression, these can cause hallucinations, nightmares, poor memory and tremors. 
  • Statins (used to lower cholesterol, CAD, heart attacks/meds such as Mevacor, Zocor, Lipitor)
  • Varenicline (used for smoking cessation)
  • Zovirax (used for shingles and herpes)
  • Heart burn medication called metoclopramide (Reglan).  Can cause depression along with confusion, hallucinations and anxiety
  • Antibiotics with the word flox in it (Ofloxacin), Floxin.  Used for routine infections such as UTI or upper respiratory infection.  Can cause depression, anxiety, paranoid thoughts, and hallucinations.  Causes toxic psychosis. 
  • Prednisone and other corticosteroids (for allergies, sinusitis,) For example, someone may be prescribed prednisone for a bad reaction to poison ivy.  Even short term dose (i.e.: a few days) can trigger anxiety, irritability, insomnia, depression, agitation, memory impairment and auditory and visual hallucinations.  It is called steroid psychosis. 
  • Anticholinergic drugs (i.e.: oxybutynin/Ditropan) used for bladder issues.  Can cause depression and cognitive loss.
  • Lariam used to treat malaria (can also induce psychosis and violence) 
  • Chantix used to stop smoking 
  • Other oral contraceptives in addition to Norplant.  This can include patches, IUD and birth control pills. 
  • Tamiflu (used for the flu) can induce psychosis and delirium which can lead to suicide (i.e.: jumping out a window during psychosis) 

Drugs That Can Cause Anxiety

  • asthma medication, albuterol
  • blood pressure  medication methyldopa
  • oral contraceptives
  • amphetamines (Ritalin)
  • Steroids (cortisone, prednisone)
  • thyroid medicines
  • some antidepressants
  • caffeine
  • Excedrin
  • No Doz
  • Cough meds, decongestants such as Sudafed
  • Illegal drugs such as cocaine, crack, speed (amphetamine)
  • antibiotics (with the word flox in it-see more information under depression above)
  • Some heartburn medications (see depression list above for more information)
  • Lariam used to treat malaria 
  • Chantix used to stop smoking
  • Tamiflu (used for flu) can induce psychosis, erratic behavior in children such as constant slapping (which can look like anxiety in a child) 

Sources

Bauman, E. & Friedlander, J. (2014) Therapeutic Nutrition. CA: Bauman College 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23852388

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23588411

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1188504

https://newsmax.com/health/health-wire/medications-cause-depression/2015/09/02/id/673122

https://www.popsugar.com/moms/family-believes-tamiflu-caused-teen-commit-suicide-4454713

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/07/recommended-tamiflu-has-flawed-results.aspx