Study: People who take multiple medications have higher risk for depression

One in three adults take medication that lists depression or suicidal thoughts as a potential side effect.

A recent study by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows people who take more than one of these medications at the same time, even something as common as ibuprofen, are at a higher risk for depression.

“Especially people who are taking multiple medications from different providers,” said Hailey Tyler, the director of the Behavioral Health Crisis Center.

Sometimes when people see multiple doctors, current medications and medication history can be forgotten when being prescribed something new.

“If one provider doesn’t know what another provider is giving, there’s no way to know what kind of side effects there could be,” said Tyler.

The study surveyed 26,192 adults who were taking medications at the time of the examination. Each participant completed a depression screening, which included questions about mood, sleeping habits and appetite.

Around 15 percent of participants who simultaneously used three or more of these drugs were depressed. By comparison, only 5 percent of those who didn’t use any of the medications were depressed.

Another recent study by the Centers for Disease Control shows Idaho’s suicide rate has risen 43 percent since 1999.

“We’re seeing these huge dramatic increases in suicide, so a study like this is great,” said Larry Manring, the executive director of the Center for Hope. “When studies like this come out it gives us another avenue to explore and see if maybe these are some of the causes.”

While the JAMA study, published Tuesday, doesn’t prove that medications directly cause depression, it’s important to take precautions.

“I think the important thing is to talk to a prescriber that you’re comfortable with and to be open and honest about all the different medications they’re taking. And take some time to sit down and say okay, what are the potential side effects?” said Manring.

There are more than 200 drugs as common as birth control pills that have depression as a potential side effect, but for some people, the benefits outweigh the risks.

“What is more dangerous? Having a possible risk of depression, or having uncontrolled hypertension? High blood pressure, or heart problems?” said Dr. Joe Brown, Pharm-D of Teton Pharmacy. “There are risks to medications and you need to weigh those risks versus the benefits of them.”

Other medications that are listed in the study include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (used to treat acid reflux), anxiety drugs, ACE inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure), beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure) and anticonvulsant drugs.