9 Medications That Can Cause Depression

Medications are supposed to make you feel better, but they can also come with side effects or unwanted reactions. One serious, unexpected side effect of some medications like antibiotics can be depression.

It's important to note that depression can affect anyone with or without a family history of mental health problems. Depression doesn't have to run in your family for you to experience the condition at any time, including after taking medications.

How long antibiotics and other medications cause depression varies. Some people may notice their symptoms go away after they're done taking the medication. It's important to consult a healthcare provider before you stop medication use. Here's what else to know about commonly used medications with depression as a possible side effect and what to do if you start experiencing depression.

What the Research Says

Consumers and healthcare providers may be unaware of this hidden risk. A study published in 2018 found that more than one-third of adults may use prescription medications that may cause depression or increase the risk of suicide.

The researchers found that more than 200 commonly used drugs have depression or suicide listed as potential side effects. Many of these drugs—including antibiotics, hormonal birth control, and heart medications—are prescribed for purposes unrelated to mental health.

No one knows exactly why certain drugs have this effect. "The medications may interfere with neurotransmitters in your brain like dopamine and serotonin, [and that] may affect mood changes," Edmi Cortes Torres, MD, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, told Health.

That may be especially true when people are prescribed more than one drug. The study authors looked at the medical records of more than 26,000 people over 10 years, studying their use of drugs with potential mood-altering side effects. About 15% of adults who used three or more medications at the same time experienced depression. This percentage compares to 9% of those who took two, 7% who took one, and 5% who took none.

The researchers saw a similar pattern for drugs that listed suicide as a potential side effect. These patterns remained, even after they excluded people who were also taking medications prescribed for pre-existing anxiety or depression.

What Types of Medication Can Cause Depression?

Here are some commonly used drugs that are sometimes linked with depression. Talk to a healthcare provider if you're taking one of these and notice changes in your mood.

1. Antibiotics

Some antibiotics have been linked with depression, notably levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Both belong to the family of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones and are prescribed for bacterial infections.

Research has shown that taking one course of medication in the penicillin group of antibiotics is associated with a 23% higher risk of depression. Two courses of penicillin take the risk up to 40%, and five or more courses involve a 56% higher risk.

A study published in 2020 helped explain why antibiotics might cause depression. Antibiotics kill bacteria, including the "good" bacteria in your gut. Messing with gut bacteria has been shown to cause depression—hence, the link.

Another reason to take antibiotics only when necessary is that overuse of antibiotics has been shown to contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

2. Anticonvulsants

Some reports have indicated that anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) drugs like topiramate and gabapentin may contribute to depression. One explanation is that these drugs suppress the central nervous system (CNS).

"We know that medications that are central nervous system depressants may be associated with depression," said Dr. Cortes Torres.

Anticonvulsants are also sometimes used to treat other conditions, including bipolar disorder, pain from damaged nerves, and fibromyalgia. Other medications are also considered CNS depressants—like benzodiazepines, including the anti-anxiety meds Xanax and Valium. These, too, have been associated with depression.

Thankfully, "medication-induced depression goes away when you stop the medication, and there are usually other options," Joshua Nathan, MD, board-certified psychiatrist at LifeStance Health, told Health.

3. Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers like metoprolol are widely prescribed to treat high blood pressure. They're also used for chest pain, irregular heartbeat, migraine, tremors, and even glaucoma. Beta-blockers are generally used long-term. Certain beta-blockers, particularly ones like propranolol, may be linked with depression with continued use.

The jury is still out on whether beta-blockers directly cause depression. A review published in 2021 looked at 258 studies involving more than 50,000 people and found that beta-blockers did not predict depression.

The researchers found beta-blockers associated with other health issues. These issues included insomnia, dreaming, and sleep disorders. Insomnia has been noted to have a "strong association with depression." There might not be a direct link between beta-blocker use and depression, but there may be an indirect one.

The good news is that there are alternatives. "[Beta-blockers have] gone a little out of favor as a standard treatment because there are newer things that may work better without [the risk of depression]," said Dr. Nathan.

4. Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids like prednisone are used to treat a number of conditions, including autoimmune disorders, asthma, allergies, and even cancer. These drugs can come with a mental health downside.

"Chronic use is associated with a range of psychiatric problems," said Dr. Nathan. "It can cause depression, anxiety, psychosis, and I've seen all of those things."

Euphoria and mania seem more common with short-term use. Depression becomes more prominent with longer use, even if the doses aren't large. Talk to a healthcare provider about your risk factors and medication alternatives if you have questions or concerns about taking corticosteroids.

5. Heartburn Medications

Among the medications cited in the 2019 study are two drugs commonly prescribed to treat heartburn: Antacids and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). Depression isn't a common consequence of these drugs. Some in these classes list it as a potential side effect.

Taking a PPI, like Prilosec (omeprazole) or Nexium (esomeprazole), can interfere with the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12. This essential nutrient produces chemicals that affect mood and cognition. PPIs have been linked to depression in at least one study.

Antacids, available with a prescription and over the counter, are generally considered safe. You still want to be aware of potential side effects, especially if you take them frequently or in large quantities.

6. Hormonal Birth Control

Research has found a potential link between hormonal birth control and depression or lower quality of life. Hormonal changes triggered by birth control, such as a decrease in testosterone or an increase in progesterone, may play a role.

It's important to keep in mind that birth control can affect each person differently when it comes to depression. Other studies also haven't necessarily made the connection with hormonal birth control causing depression. A study published in 2017 found that hormonal birth control may actually protect people from depression later in life.

Birth control also helps regulate hormone levels. It may reduce physical and emotional symptoms of menstruation every month for those with heavy periods or conditions like endometriosis.

7. Interferon

Interferon is associated with a significant risk of depression. The drug is used in the treatment of some cancers and viral infections, like hepatitis C. Interferon is no longer the standard treatment for hepatitis C virus since the approval of several new direct-acting antivirals (DAA).

Antidepressants are sometimes used if a healthcare provider feels interferon is the best course of treatment. Pre-treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can lower the risk and severity of depression.

8. Opioids

These addictive painkillers are responsible for one of the greatest public health crises in American history. Opioids also seem to increase the risk of depression.

About 62% of adults with an opioid use disorder (OUD) in the U.S. have a co-occurring mental illness. Depression is one of the potential illnesses that might coincide with OUD.

A study published in 2020 noted that prolonged opioid use of 30 days or more "may saturate the opioid receptor system" to affect mood. This can increase the risk of treatment-resistant depression by more than 25%.

9. Some Lipid-Lowering Drugs

Some evidence suggests that statins may cause depression as a side effect, but data is inconclusive. Statins are drugs that help lower levels of cholesterol, which is a type of lipid. A study published in 2018, for example, found that some people may have a higher risk of depression while taking statins. It's not exactly clear how statins cause depression, but the study authors found that they might impact serotonin levels.

Another study published in 2021 found that statin use doesn't increase depression risk. The researchers even noted that stains are sometimes used to treat depression. More research is needed to know how statins can affect depression symptoms.

When To Contact a Healthcare Provider

Contact a healthcare provider right away if you suspect you've developed depression due to a medication. "The most important thing is to communicate with [a healthcare provider] when you experience mood changes," said Dr. Cortes Torres.

Don't stop taking prescription drugs if it causes depression. A healthcare provider can compare the risks of stopping the medication with its side effects. They may recommend a different drug or advise ways to treat depression.

"We can manage it by reducing the dosing, by changing the medication or, when the medication is really necessary to treat the illness, by giving an antidepressant to treat depressive symptoms," said Dr. Cortes Torres.

A Quick Review

Depression can be a potential side effect of a number of commonly used medications, such as antibiotics, beta-blockers, and opioids. It's important to communicate with a healthcare provider about side effects related to depression. 

Contact a healthcare provider if you suspect you have symptoms of depression. Let them know if the symptoms are worsening or if you are contemplating harming yourself. They can help with treatment and alternative medication options.