Depression:
Medicines That Cause Depression

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Certain drugs prescribed for various medical conditions have been found to cause depression (feeling of sadness, despair and discouragement) or mania (excessive happiness and joy), in some people.

Drugs That Can Cause Mania

The following drugs have been reported to cause mania in some patients.

• Anticholinergics -- A group of medicines used to relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach, intestines, and bladder. Examples include Anaspaz, Bentyl, Gastrosed, Levbid and Symax.
• Cogentin -- A medicine used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
• Corticosteroids -- A group of medicines that decrease inflammation (swelling) and reduce the activity of the immune system (cells that fight infection). Examples include hydrocortisone, triamcinolone (Azmacort), prednisone, Flonase, Nasocort, Nasonex and Flovent.
• Cyclosporine -- A drug used to suppress the immune system to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs.
• Lioresal-- A muscle relaxant and antispastic agent often used to treat multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries.
• Bromocriptine -- A drug used to treat Parkinson's disease.
• Capoten -- A medicine used to treat high blood pressure.
• Tagamet -- This drug is used to prevent and treat ulcers, heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach.
• Antabuse --A medicine used to treat alcoholism.
• Dopar -- A medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease.
• Synthroid -- A drug commonly prescribed as a thyroid hormone replacement.
• MAOIs -- A group of medicines used to treat depression. Examples include Nardil and Parnate.
• Ritalin --This drug is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Opioids -- A group of narcotics used to relieve moderate to severe pain. These drugs have a high potential for abuse and addiction. Examples include codeine, morphine, Demerol, Darvocet and Percodan.
• Trihexyphenidyl (Artane) -- A medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease.
• Yohimbine -- A drug used to treat male impotence.

Drugs That Can Cause Depression

The following drugs have been reported to cause depression in some patients. Elderly people are particularly at risk.

• Zovirax -- A drug used to treat shingles and herpes.
• Alcohol
• Anticonvulsants -- A drug used to control epileptic seizures. Examples include Celontin and Zarontin .
• Barbiturates -- A group of central nervous system depressants that slow down brain function. These medicines have been used to treat anxiety and to prevent epileptic seizures. They are commonly abused. Examples are phenobarbital and secobarbital.
• Benzodiazepines -- A group of central nervous system depressants often used to treat anxiety and insomnia, and relax muscles. Examples include Ativan, Dalman, Halcion, Klonopin, Librium, Valium and Xanax .
• Beta-adrenergic blockers -- Also known as beta-blockers, these medicines are used in the treatment of various heart problems, including high blood pressure , heart failure, chest pain caused by angina, and certain abnormal heart rhythms. They may also be used to treat migraine headaches. Examples include Lopressor, Tenormin and Coreg .
• Bromocriptine (Parlodel) -- A medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease .
• Calcium-channel blockers -- A group of medicines that slow the heart rate and relax blood vessels. Calcium channel blockers are used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, congestive heart failure, and certain abnormal heart rhythms. Examples include Calan, Cardizem, Tiazac and Procardia .
• Antabuse --A medicine that is used to treat alcoholism .
• Estrogens -- A class of female hormones often used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat menopause symptoms and to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Examples include Premarin and Prempro .
• Fluoroquinolone antibiotics --Examples include Cipro and Floxin .
• Statins -- A group of medicines used to lower cholesterol, protect against damage from coronary artery disease, and prevent heart attacks. Examples include Mevacor, Zocor, Pravachol, Lescol and Lipitor .
• Interferon alfa -- This drug is used to treat certain cancers and hepatitis B.
• Accutane -- A drug used to treat severe acne.
• Narcotics -- A group of drugs used to relieve intense pain and suppress coughs. These drugs have a high potential for abuse and addiction. Examples include codeine, morphine, Demerol, Darvocet and Percodan.
• Norplant -- Medicine used for birth control.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• citalopram, Celexa - Information about citalopram (Celexa) an antidepressant drug prescribed for depression, anxiety, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, and premenstrual dysphoric syndrome.
• Psychotherapy - Mental Health: Psychotherapy To Treat Depressionin teens and adults
• Anxiety - Read about anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder, GAD) causes, physical symptoms and signs, medications and treatment. Learn about symptoms (worry, fear) and other types of anxiety disorders.

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