- Certain anticonvulsant medications have exhibited depression side effects. Two specific drugs in this category are Celontin and Zarontin. Both drugs are used in the treatment of epileptic seizures, specifically in the prevention of petite seizures. Celontin is prescribed less often than Zarontin as the side effects of Celontin are more common. Nevertheless these two drugs, as anticonvulsants, function by depressing the central nervous system (CNS). It is this CNS depression that is thought to be behind the reported mental depression side effects.
- Oral contraceptives have been commonly associated with depression. Since the 1960 introduction of the first oral contraceptive, Enovid, warnings have been issued about the tendency for women to experience mood swings and psychic depression. This is due to the way birth control acts to simulate pregnancy, which itself is associated with altered moods and depression. The synthetic hormone Progestin, which is present in either whole or part in birth control pills and contraceptive injections (such as Depo-Provera), has also been shown to lower serotonin levels in the brain.
- Medications prescribed to treat heart conditions (i.e. heart failure, heart arrhythmia, high blood pressure, angina and associated chest pain) have been associated with depression. Known as beta-blockers, these medications obstruct the effects of the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline). Epinephrine normally causes the heart to beat more forcefully, thus raising blood pressure, and it does so by binding with the body's beta receptors. In counteracting this process---relaxing the blood vessels and enhancing blood flow by blocking the beta-receptor from binding with epinephrine---heart medications like Lopressor, Coreg, and Tenormin will affect the tissues of the body. Different effects will be produced for different people, but depression has been a commonly reported side effect.
- Two groups of central nervous system (CNS) depressants have been linked to depression: Barbiturates and Benzodiazapines. Barbiturates (i.e. phenobarbital and secobarbital) are used as an epileptic seizure preventative and as treatment for anxiety. Benzodiazapines (i.e. Ativan, Xanax, Valium) are used in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks. Both act upon the CNS by slowing the functions of the brain, which relaxes muscles and psychomotor activity.
- Statins are medications prescribed in the prevention of heart attacks and to defend against damage caused by coronary heart disease. Statins are also prescribed in efforts to reduce cholesterol levels. Statins (i.e. Zocor, Lipitor) act on the body by interfering with the biochemistry of a very important metabolic pathway, dolichols. Dolichols is a requisite for the production of neuropeptides, which act as the messenger molecules that form the foundation of every sensation, thought, or emotion a person experiences. It is the influence on these dolichols processes on human emotionality that is believed to be the link between Statin medications and their side effects of depression.
