Millions of Britons who take common heartburn medications are at risk of developing depression, experts have warned.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which help reduce stomach acid, were prescribed more than 74 million times in the UK in 2023 alone.
These widely used drugs are just one of several addictive medications that can cause symptoms of depression in patients.
Tablets containing omeprazole or lansoprazole can interfere with your body’s absorption of vitamin B12, an important nutrient for maintaining mental health.
The NHS acknowledges that vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a range of psychological problems, from mild depression to confusion and dementia.
“PPIs can block over 80 per cent of stomach acid production,” pharmacist Deborah Grayson told Mail Online.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which help reduce stomach acid, were prescribed more than 74 million times in the UK in 2023 alone
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She pointed out that reducing stomach acid greatly affects the absorption of nutrients from food.
The body needs these nutrients to produce serotonin, also known as the “happy hormone.”
When nutrients are not absorbed properly, serotonin production is hindered, which can lead to depression and low mood.
A 2017 study of about 350 elderly participants found that about one in six depression cases can be attributed to PPI use.
The product information leaflet acknowledges this risk and advises patients to contact their doctor if they experience memory problems, confusion, or depression while taking these medicines.
In addition to PPIs, certain antibiotics are also associated with the risk of depression.
Of particular concern are fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin.
The NHS reports that ciprofloxacin can cause depression in 1 in 100 patients.
Scientists believe that these antibiotics may affect mood by altering the gut bacterial community that plays a role in brain hormone production.
Antibiotics eliminate both harmful pathogens and beneficial gut bacteria in the process.
To counter this effect, some patients are advised to take probiotic supplements after antibiotic treatment to restore the gut microbiome.
Common drugs such as topiramate and gabapentin, sold as Topamax and Neurontin respectively, are prescribed around 700,000 times each month in the UK.
These drugs are known to cause depression and mood changes in about 1 in 100 patients.
Medical experts believe that these drugs may cause depression through a mechanism that suppresses electrical activity in the brain and nerves.
This suppression can be helpful in treating conditions such as epilepsy, but can affect mood regulation.
Grayson stresses that patients should not stop taking their medication if they experience depression, but should instead talk to their GP or pharmacist.
The NHS advises anyone who has symptoms of depression for more than two weeks to see their GP.
This is especially important if your symptoms don’t improve or are affecting your work or relationships.
If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you should seek immediate medical attention.
“In many cases, patients look at the leaflet and realize that one of the side effects is depression, and they assume that because the leaflet says so, they should just put up with it, which is clearly not the right thing to do. ” Grayson warned.
She added that medical professionals can intervene by changing medications or checking vitamin B12 and folic acid levels to find ways to manage symptoms.
