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Update on drug-induced depression in the elderly
Michael Kotlyar1, Maurice Dysken, David E Adson
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. kotly001@umn.edu
The American Journal of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy
|March 1, 2006
Summary
Medications can cause or worsen depression in older adults, though research is conflicting. If depression symptoms appear or worsen, consider medication as a cause and seek appropriate treatment.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Depression is a prevalent condition among the elderly population.
- Medication use is a significant factor that can contribute to new-onset or exacerbated depression in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent literature on medications commonly used by the elderly that may cause depressive symptoms.
- To evaluate the association between medication use and depression in geriatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1996-2005).
- Inclusion criteria focused on common geriatric medications and rigorous study designs.
- Keywords included "depression" and "chemically induced."
Main Results:
- Various medications are linked to depression, but evidence often relies on observational data.
- Antihypertensives showed contradictory findings; newer lipid-lowering drugs (statins) and selective estrogen-receptor modulators showed no clear association.
- Corticosteroids have historical associations with depression, though recent data is limited.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence on medication-induced depression in the elderly is largely contradictory due to a lack of controlled studies.
- Medications should be considered a potential cause for new or worsening depression in older adults.
- Discontinuation of suspect medications and appropriate treatment are recommended.