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Published on: December 18, 2014
Increased antidepressant use in patients prescribed beta-blockers
JAMA
|January 17, 1986
Summary
Patients taking beta-blockers for hypertension had higher rates of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) use, suggesting a potential link between beta-blockers and iatrogenic depression in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Epidemiology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Central nervous system side effects of antihypertensive medications are understudied.
- Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) use is a potential indicator of depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of TCA use in patients taking antihypertensive medications.
- To compare TCA use among different classes of antihypertensives and with hypoglycemic agents.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a random sample of 143,253 Medicaid recipients.
- Comparison of TCA prescription rates for patients on seven antihypertensive agents versus insulin or oral hypoglycemics.
Main Results:
- TCA use was significantly higher in patients taking beta-blockers (23%) compared to hydralazine/hypoglycemics (15%) and methyldopa/reserpine (10%).
- Patients on beta-blockers had a 1.5 times higher risk of being prescribed TCAs relative to those on hydralazine or hypoglycemics.
Conclusions:
- Beta-blocker use may contribute to iatrogenic depression in hypertensive patients.
- Further research is warranted to understand the relationship between beta-blockers and CNS side effects.
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