One Third of Adults Take Prescription Medications That Might Have Depressive Side Effects

Both prevalence of depression and use of prescription medications with potential depressive side effects have been increasing. Investigators used data from a U.S. community-based health survey of 26,192 adults to explore this cross-sectional association. Surveys were conducted in 2005–2006 and 2013–2014; participants were asked about prescription medication use, and depressive symptoms were assessed with a validated, diagnostic criterion–based instrument. Medications were classified as having depressive or suicidal side effects based on required labeling.

More than one third of participants (38%) were taking prescription medications associated with depressive symptoms, and 10% were taking ≥3 such medications. Nearly one quarter of participan…