Related Experiment Videos
Do antidepressants have any potential to cause addiction?
1Moorside, Trafford General Hospital, Davyhulme, Manchester, UK.
Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|October 8, 1999
Summary
Antidepressants generally do not cause addiction, with rare exceptions like tranylcypromine and amineptine. Patients with a history of substance misuse should avoid these specific drugs.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Addiction is characterized by compulsive drug use.
- Antidepressants are typically not considered addictive, but this is debated.
- Case reports suggest potential for antidepressant addiction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the debate surrounding antidepressant addiction.
- To review case reports and clinical data on antidepressant dependence.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of English language case reports (since 1963) on antidepressant addiction (DSM-IV criteria).
- Analysis of case report data, including drug type, subject characteristics, and clinical features.
Main Results:
- 21 case reports of antidepressant addiction identified.
- 16 cases involved tranylcypromine or amineptine, linked to dopaminergic/stimulant properties.
- Features of addiction like tolerance and compulsive use are rare; withdrawal is more common.
Conclusions:
- Most antidepressants do not pose a clinically significant addiction risk.
- Tranylcypromine and amineptine may cause addiction and should be avoided in individuals with substance misuse history.
- Patients on other antidepressants can be reassured about their non-addictive nature.