HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Does Medication For Chest Infection Cause Increased Depression?

default
Posted on Tue, 9 Sep 2014
Question: I am getting over the flu and an upper chest infection. In the past 4 days I've taken a combination of cold and flu tablets, amoxicillin, bisolvin and anti-inflamatories. I also take 100mg of Zoloft per day for depression.
I was doing really well mood wise for months but definitely feel like I'm having a depressed episode now. It's not extreme but not nice. Should I expect this to happen when I get things like the flu or is it all the different drugs in my system? Or both? Just learning to pay more attention to likely triggers for future reference. Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, fever can lead to relapse

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

You are right in both things-

1. there is a possibility of relapse or exacerbation of depressive or anxiety or symptims of any other psychiatric diagnosis after or during febrile episode. It usually follows the viral type fevers.
The relapse can range from simple mild increase in some symptoms to full blown episode.

Tip- taking precaution when you have fever ; take its treatment from the very first day of fever and maintain good diet and adequate sleep/rest.

Once there is observed increase in symptoms- preffrably the dosage of antideperessant should be increased.

2. The meds you are taking are good for fever, continue them for the recommended time (as told by the doctor),
there is no significant problem with these meds & can be taken with psychiatric drugs.

##You should discuss the psychiatric meds with the physician every time there is another medical problem.

3. even the biological changes during fever are thought to act as a kind of stressor to bring back mood issues in some research.

so, treat the fever adequately, stay away from stressors; hike zoloft--you will feel good both physically and mentally..

Hope the reply is useful for you.
Please feel free to ask more questions for clarification.
Wish you speedy recovery!

Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Manisha Gopal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 947 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Does Medication For Chest Infection Cause Increased Depression?

Brief Answer: Yes, fever can lead to relapse Detailed Answer: Hello, You are right in both things- 1. there is a possibility of relapse or exacerbation of depressive or anxiety or symptims of any other psychiatric diagnosis after or during febrile episode. It usually follows the viral type fevers. The relapse can range from simple mild increase in some symptoms to full blown episode. Tip- taking precaution when you have fever ; take its treatment from the very first day of fever and maintain good diet and adequate sleep/rest. Once there is observed increase in symptoms- preffrably the dosage of antideperessant should be increased. 2. The meds you are taking are good for fever, continue them for the recommended time (as told by the doctor), there is no significant problem with these meds & can be taken with psychiatric drugs. ##You should discuss the psychiatric meds with the physician every time there is another medical problem. 3. even the biological changes during fever are thought to act as a kind of stressor to bring back mood issues in some research. so, treat the fever adequately, stay away from stressors; hike zoloft--you will feel good both physically and mentally.. Hope the reply is useful for you. Please feel free to ask more questions for clarification. Wish you speedy recovery! Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Neuropsychiatry