Digitalis and β-blocking agents: Effects on depression following myocardial infarction

Drug-Induced Depression: A Systematic Review to Inform Clinical Practice

“…Several drugs were found to have been evaluated in nonrandomized studies using validated instruments for measuring depression. Two studies reported significant associations for digitalis [15, 16]as did two for sedative-hypnotics [17, 18]. Other nonrandomized studies that have nevertheless employed validated instruments to measure depressive symptoms failed to identify an association between depressive symptoms and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors [19], calcium channel blockers [19, 20, 21], clonidine [22], isotretinoin [23]and methyldopa [24, 25, 26, 27].…”

“…Several studies have attempted to evaluate the possible association using administrative data [29, 30, 31, 32], but methodological factors including an inability to adequately control for confounding have rendered this group of studies inconclusive [33]. Observational epidemiological studies employing validated measures of depressive symptoms have occasionally reported associations [18, 34], but most studies have not [16, 19, 24, 35]. Two observational studies employing structured diagnostic interviews in clinical samples have been conducted, neither finding an association [36, 37].…”

AAFP Guideline for the Detection and Management of Post-Myocardial Infarction Depression

“…In these patients, 1-month or greater prevalences ranged from 36.7% to 60%. 38,44,45 Studies were rated as having a medium quantity of evidence with reasonable quality. The updated review of the literature found only 1 new study that again reported a 1-month 35.4% prevalence of depression in patients originally given a post-MI diagnosis of depression.…”

Concomitant prescription of psychotropic and cardiovascular drugs in elderly patients

“…Psychotropic drugs and psychiatric diseases have been implied in causing cardiovascular effects. Conversely, cardiovascular drugs have also been shown to have psychiatric side effects and drug interactions with psychotropic medications [9]. To reduce the risk of adverse drug effects in the elderly, clinicians should check for potential side effects and drug-drug interactions.…”

“…On the other hand, cardiac patients are more likely to suffer from depression [7]. Many cardiac medications have been shown to have psychiatric side effects, such as anxiety, agitation, depression, and insomnia [8,9]. Conversely, cardiac effects are also common in psychotropic medication [10,11].…”