Millions of Brits may be taking medications that could trigger depression due to a lack of essential nutrients absorbed by the body. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly used to treat heartburn, have been linked to depression risk, as well as other routine medications such as antibiotics and anti-seizure drugs.
According to experts, PPIs can stop the body from absorbing vitamin B12, a vital nutrient found in meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and some fortified cereals. A lack of vitamin B12 is known to cause psychological problems, including mild depression or anxiety, confusion, and dementia.
The NHS acknowledges the risk, urging people to contact their doctor if they experience problems with memory, confusion, or depression while taking PPIs or other medications. Some studies have found that about one-sixth of cases of depression can be attributed to PPI use.
Other medications linked to depression risk include antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones, and anti-seizure drugs like topiramate and gabapentin. The NHS states that these medications can trigger low mood in about one in every 100 people prescribed them.
Experts suspect that these medications may alter the community of good bacteria in the gut, influencing the production of mood-affecting hormones in the brain, which could increase the risk of depression. To mitigate this risk, some patients are recommended to take probiotics after a course of antibiotics.
Medics must consider whether a drug is causing depression or if a patient is suffering from it for a separate unrelated reason. Deborah Grayson, pharmacist and expert in PPI medication, advises people not to stop taking medication when experiencing side effects like depression but instead to speak to their GP or pharmacist about alternative solutions or compensating measures.
If you are feeling depressed and experiencing symptoms that have lasted more than two weeks, it is essential to consult a GP about your symptoms.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14165019/Heartburn-pills-taken-millions-trigger-depression-common-medications-cause-low-mood.html