Medications that Can Cause Depression

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.