Cardizem and Depression

Posted by bgolani @bgolani, 1 day ago

I have been on Cardizem for about 2 months and it has been pretty effective in controlling my arrythmias. However, I have become terribly depressed and anxiety-ridden and am not sure if this is a side effect or not. I have been treated for depression in the past, so not sure what is causing what. I am not sure whether to contact the cardiologist or a mental health prescriber.

I am interested in hearing from anyone who has experienced anxiety and depression as a side effect of Cardizem. Did you stay on the drug and add an antidepressant or med for anxiety? Did it help?

Thanks for your input

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gloaming | @gloaming | 1 day ago

I don't see depression or mood disorders listed in the several sources I checked. One professor at Harvard, Zusmann, feels that beta blockers can cause some mood alteration. Otherwise, no experience, either first or second-hand....sorry.
My guess, as uneducated as it is, is that you are experiencing the return of an 'old friend', brought chiefly due to recent changes in your circumstances and in your adaptation to them. I'm guess that, for example, you have also lost some sleep, and are not sleeping so great any more. That, alone, can cause mood changes, not to mention weight gain and suppression of one's immune response. You find yourself, alas, with more unwelcome items on your plate, and it makes you sad, anxious, maybe a bit at a loss.