title: Changes in depressive status associated with topical beta-blockers.
abstract: Depression and sexual dysfunction have been related to side effects of topical beta-blockers. We performed a preliminary study in order to determine any difference between a non selective beta-blocker (timolol) and a selective beta-blocker (betaxolol) regarding CNS side effects. Eight glaucomatous patients chronically treated with timolol 0.5%/12h, suffering from depression diagnosed through DMS-III-R criteria, were included in the study. During the six-month follow up, depression was quantified through the Beck and Zung-Conde scales every two months. In a double blind cross-over study with control group, the patients under timolol treatment presented higher depression values measured through the Beck and the Zung-Conde scales (p < 0.001 vs control). These results suggest that betaxolol could be less of a depression-inducer than timolol in predisposed patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Ciutat Sanitaria de Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duch
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pastó
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015784:Betaxolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D013999:Timolol; D015784:Betaxolol