Posted by Elizabeth on October 11, 2001, at 11:36:59
In reply to Blood pressure meds which can worsen depression?, posted by dave_fox on October 10, 2001, at 19:05:31
It's thought that beta blockers can worsen depression; however, clinical studies have been confounded by the fact that people with cardiovascular disease (the ones who would be taking beta blockers) are more likely to be depressed than the population in general. I think that some people probably do become more depressed on beta blockers, but it's a lot less common than it appears to be. Cardioselective beta blockers (like atenolol) are probably safest if you're still concerned, though.
I think that calcium channel blockers can cause or exacerbate depression. ACE inhibitors are the antihypertensive meds that are thought to be best for people with a history of depression.
A problem with treating hypertension is that when you add a drug, your cardiovascular system attempts to compensate for the effects of the drug. So often, more than one different type of drug may be used.
BTW I have a history of very severe depression (and a family history that's loaded with depression and related conditions), and I often take propranolol for tremor without any problem. So beta blockers are not necessarily bad for everyone. (OTOH, I don't take it every day like people with hypertension would have to).
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:80913
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011007/msgs/80981.html