Citation

Huffman JC, Stern TA. Dialogues Clin. Neurosci. 2007; 9(1): 29-45.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Les Laboratoires Servier)

DOI

10.31887/DCNS.2007.9.1/jchuffman

PMID

17506224

PMCID

PMC3181843

Abstract

The use of cardiovascular medications can have a variety of neuropsychiatric consequences. Many cardiovascular agents cause higher rates of fatigue and sedation than placebo, and case reports of medication-induced mood syndromes, psychosis, and cognitive disturbances exist for many cardiovascular drugs. Depression has been associated with P3-blockers, methyldopa, and reserpine, but more recent syntheses of the data have suggested that these associations are much weaker than originally believed. Though low cholesterol levels have been associated with depression and suicide, lipid-lowering agents have not been associated with these adverse effects. Finally, cardiovascular medications may have beneficial neuropsychiatric consequences; for example, the use of clonidine in patients with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, the use of prazosin for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder; and the use of propranolol for performance anxiety and akathisia.

Language: en

Keywords

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Anxiety Disorders; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Cardiovascular Agents; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Mental Disorders; Mood Disorders; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic