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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…