Do You Know Your Medication’s Side Effect Risks?

JACKSON, Mississippi. Virtually all medication comes with some side effect risk. Some of these risks are small and many patients won’t experience any side effects at all. But for the few patients who do experience side effects, these effects can be dangerous and even deadly. According to Vox, depression and suicide risk is a known side-effect for over 200 drugs. The suicide deaths of Anthony Bordain and Kate Spade have raised suicide awareness. The New York Times reports that suicide is a “public health crisis.”

Suicide can leave families struggling to understand why. While some victims show warning signs, others do not. It can be tough to reach those suffering from depression if they hide their symptoms or intentions. Yet, according to Vox, as many as one-third of Americans may be taking medications that could make them depressed. Some medications are so risky that they list suicide as a potential side effect.

What are some common medications that can increase your risk of depression? Birth control, sedatives, beta blockers, steroids, proton pump inhibitors, and anticonvulsants have been shown to increase users’ risk of depression and suicide. Should you stop taking these drugs now? Every person’s risk factors will be unique, but the people who should be more closely monitored are those who already suffer from depression or those who have a family history of depression or suicide. If you or someone you love uses these drugs and has attempted suicide in the past, he or she may need to be closely monitored while on these prescriptions. Only a doctor can weigh the potential benefits and risks of using these drugs.

However, sometimes doctors make mistakes. Doctors may prescribe patients antidepressants without first checking to see if the patient is on drugs that can cause depression. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorder, can also have depression as one of its symptoms. The more drugs a person takes that lists depression as a side effect, the higher the risk the patient might suffer from depression. So, even if you have no past history of depression, if you take several of the drugs known to have depression as a side effect, you may also want to closely monitor your moods and report any changes to your doctor.

Unfortunately, sometimes when patients report depression, their doctors may not link the depression to the medication. For example, for years, women have been telling their doctors that birth control medication can make them feel depressed. It was only until a recent study validated these complaints that some women finally felt heard.

If you or someone you love is suffering from depression, check their medications and their side effects. If you feel depressed or suicidal, please get help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Doctors need to be cautious when prescribing drugs to patients, especially patients with a history of suicide or depression. The The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm are prescription drug error lawyers in Jackson, Mississippi who are closely watching this story unfold. If you feel a doctor failed to adequately diagnose a loved one’s depression resulting in suicide or injury, consider reaching out to the The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm today at http://www.lawbowling.com/.

The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm, A Professional Law Corporation

1615 Poydras Street, Suite 1050

New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112

Phone: (504) 586-5200

Toll Free: (504) 586-5200