Drug-induced depression: a systematic review to inform clinical practice.
BACKGROUND
Certain medications may contribute to the etiology of depressive symptoms and disorders. Research in this area, however, has been hampered by methodological and conceptual problems. This review had two objectives: to identify evidence linking medical drugs to depressive symptoms and disorders, and to summarize this evidence in a clinically meaningful way.


METHODS
Electronic literature searches were performed and studies were reviewed with reference to critical methodological features.


RESULTS
No medications causing the typical major depressive syndrome were identified. Evidence was found linking corticosteroids, interferon-alpha, interleukin-2, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, mefloquine, progestin-releasing implanted contraceptives and propranolol to the etiology of atypical depressive syndromes.


CONCLUSIONS
A small number of drugs have been shown capable of inducing depressive symptoms. Drug-induced depression appears to differ symptomatically from classical major depression.
Patten
Scott B
SB
Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. patten@ucalgary.ca
Barbui
Corrado
C
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000009:adverse effects; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000819:agonists; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000009:adverse effects; D008186:Luteolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000379:methods*; D015767:Mefloquine / Q000009:adverse effects; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000962:Antimalarials; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008186:Luteolytic Agents; D013629:Tamoxifen; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D015767:Mefloquine