Prescriptions With Depression As Possible Side Effect

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If you are currently taking medication for allergies, anxiety, pain, contraception, acid reflux, or blood pressure it may have depression or suicidal thoughts listed as a possible side effect, and those possible side effects may occur more often than was thought, as published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Using data collected from the US government in the ongoing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey researchers analyzed data including responses from a 9 item depression and suicidality questionnaire. It has been found that individuals who take medications with suicidal thoughts or depression listed as a possible side effect are more likely to be suicidal or depressed. It was also found that 37% of respondents used at least one prescription medication with depression listed as a possible side effect, use of these medications has increased, and individuals who take them were more likely to be 65+ years of age, widowed, female, and have other chronic health problems. Responders taking no medications with depression listed as a possible side effect had a likelihood of depression to be 5%, which remained stable regardless of how many medications they took without depression listed as a possible side effect.

Read more of the original article from WorldHealth

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