Medications That May Trigger Depression: A Closer Look

Some medications can cause depression as a side effect, including:

• Anticonvulsants: These medications are used to treat seizures, but some can cause depressive symptoms. Barbiturates, vigabatrin, and topiramate are thought to be more likely to cause depression.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics can increase the risk of depression and anxiety, and in rare cases, psychotic disorders.
• Blood pressure medications: Some blood pressure medications, like atenolol, metoprolol, enalapril, and quinapril, can affect your mood.
• Birth control and hormone therapy: Some women experience mood swings or depression as a side effect of hormonal birth control.
• Calcium channel blockers: These medications can increase the risk of depression that requires treatment.
• Isotretinoin: This drug is used to treat severe acne.
• Opioids: These narcotics are used to treat moderate to severe pain.
• Other medications that can cause depression include: acid reflux medications, allergy medications, anxiety medications, and pain medications.