Drug-induced (medication-induced) depression in neurology practice

Abstract

One of the depression causes is the use of certain drugs, and in this case, the term drug-induced depression (DID), medication-induced or iatrogenic depression is used. Symptoms of DID are similar to those observed in patients with other types of depression. DID is also associated with morbidity and mortality. Its development leads to a decrease in treatment adherence, and in some cases, to discontinuation of drugs that have predictive value. The main point in the management of patients with DID is the rapid detection and correction of symptoms and the application of prompt measures to prevent their development when prescribing certain drugs. The features of the course of DID, pathogenetic mechanisms and risk factors for its development, possible approaches to the treatment and prevention are discussed.

Keywords

• depression
• drug-induced depression
• iatrogenic depression
• depressogenic drugs
• adverse drug reaction