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Depression--an adverse event with nifedipine.
A H Patalia1, N R Rathod, R R Gandhi
1Department of Medicine, MP Shah Medical College and Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, Jamnagar-316 008, Gujarat.
The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India
|February 14, 2003
Summary
Depression may be linked to the calcium channel blocker nifedipine. Discontinuing nifedipine resolved depression in two patients, suggesting a potential adverse effect of this cardiovascular drug.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Calcium channel blockers are widely prescribed for cardiovascular conditions.
- Nifedipine is a commonly used dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker.
- Depression is a prevalent and serious mental health condition.
Observation:
- Two distinct cases report a correlation between nifedipine use and the onset or exacerbation of depressive symptoms.
- In one case, concurrent nortriptyline treatment for depression became ineffective after nifedipine introduction.
- Resolution of depressive symptoms was observed in both patients upon cessation of nifedipine therapy.
Findings:
- Nifedipine use was associated with depression in two reported cases.
- The depressive symptoms resolved after discontinuing nifedipine, indicating a potential causal link.
- Nifedipine may interfere with the efficacy of antidepressant medications like nortriptyline.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider nifedipine as a potential cause of depression in patients.
- Monitoring for depressive symptoms is crucial in individuals taking nifedipine.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanism underlying nifedipine-induced depression.