Do beta blockers cause depression?
Current Psychiatry. 2010 May;09(05):50-55
May 1, 2010|Current Psychiatry
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Table
Beta blockers and depression: Is there a link?
| Study | Methods | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Bright et al, 19923 | Case-control study of 4,302 patients with new-onset depression | Beta-blocker use was not associated with depression after controlling for confounding factors, although depressed patients were more likely to receive beta blockers |
| van Melle et al, 20064 | A prospective study of post-myocardial infarction patients; 254 taking beta blockers, 127 controls | No significant differences in depressive symptoms or incidence of depressive disorder between beta-blocker users and nonusers |
| Gerstman et al, 19965 | New users of propranolol (n=704) other beta blockers (n=587), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (n=976), calcium channel blockers (n=742), and diuretics (n=773) | Depression occurred no more frequently among beta-blocker users than other subjects |
| Ko et al, 20026 | Quantitative review of randomized trials that tested beta blockers in myocardial infarction, heart failure, and hypertension | Beta-blocker therapy was not associated with a significant absolute annual increase in risk of depressive symptoms (6 per 1,000 patients; 95% confidence interval, -7 to 19) |
- Rivelli S, Jiang W. Depression and ischemic heart disease: what have we learned from clinical trials? Curr Opin Cardiol. 2007;22(4):286-291.
- National guideline clearinghouse. Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=14585.
Drug brand names
- Atenolol • Tenormin
- Digoxin • Lanoxin
- Metoprolol • Lopressor, Toprol-XL
- Propranolol • Inderal
- Timolol • Blocadren
Disclosure
The authors report no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
