Toprol and Depression

There are many potential side effects that may occur with the use of Toprol-XL, and depression might be one of them. In clinical trials of Toprol-XL, depression was reported in up to 5 percent of patients. However, because depression is so common in the general population, it is unclear whether Toprol-XL and other beta blockers actually cause depression.

 

Is Depression a Side Effect of Toprol-XL?

There are several possible side effects that may occur with Toprol-XL® (metoprolol succinate). Depression does appear to be one of the common side effects reported in clinical studies involving the medication; however, it is difficult to determine whether this depression is actually caused by the Toprol-XL, other factors, or a combination of these.
 

Understanding Clinical Studies

Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies in which thousands of people are given a particular medicine and compared to a group of people not given the medicine. In these studies, side effects are always documented. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
In these studies, depression was a reported side effect of Toprol-XL, occurring in up to 5 percent of people.
 

What Does Other Research Say About Depression and Toprol-XL?

The title of a research study published by Ried and colleagues sums up what the scientific literature says about depression and Toprol-XL: "Beta-blockers and Depression: the More the Murkier?" Despite a lot of research in this area, healthcare providers cannot say with certainty that beta blockers, including Toprol-XL, cause depression; however, they also cannot say with certainty that beta blockers do not cause depression.
 
 
(Toprol and Depression Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;