[Episodes of depression with attempted suicide after taking valsartan with hydrochlorothiazide]

Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2003 Nov 28;128(48):2534-6. doi: 10.1055/s-2003-44949.
[Article in German]

Abstract

History and clinical findings: A 43-year-old woman was admitted after a suicide attempt with 1.5 g atenolol. Physical and neurological examination showed no abnormality, but psychiatric examination revealed symptoms of a major depression. Four weeks prior to admission a valsartan-hydrochlorothiazide combination had been added to the antihypertensive medication.

Investigations: Laboratory tests, electrocardiography, chest-x-ray, electroencephalography and cranial computerised tomography showed no abnormality.

Diagnosis and course: The depressive disorder resolved within ten days after discontinuation of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide without specific treatment. Blood pressure was normal under treatment with metoprolol.

Conclusion: Depressive drug reactions can produce a substantial morbidity. This case of a drug induced affective disorder should heighten the awareness of unusual reactions to valsartan-hydrochlorothiazide therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Depression / chemically induced*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrochlorothiazide / adverse effects*
  • Hydrochlorothiazide / therapeutic use
  • Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Suicide, Attempted*
  • Tetrazoles / adverse effects*
  • Tetrazoles / therapeutic use
  • Valine / adverse effects*
  • Valine / analogs & derivatives
  • Valine / therapeutic use
  • Valsartan

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Tetrazoles
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Valsartan
  • Valine