Psychosomatics 25: 809-812, 1984
Copyright
© 1984 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine
Treating depression in asthmatic patients
WENDY L. THOMPSON M.D.1, and
TROY L. THOMPSON II M.D.2
1 Assistant clinical professor of psychiatry, National Jewish Hospital and National Asthma Center
2 Associate professor of psychiatry and medicine, University Hospital, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Asthma patients frequently develop depression, especially when treated with high-dose corticosteroids. Depressed asthmatics should be promptly treated, since depression frequently decreases compliance. Antidepressants containing the dye tartrazine should be avoided because tartrazine may provoke bronchospasm. Patients may benefit to a mild degree from the anticholinergic effects of some antidepressants, but monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should be avoided in those who are receiving epinephrine injections or several other drugs commonly used to treat rhinitis and sinusitis. To avoid the risk of decreasing respiratory drive, caution should be exercised when combining high dosages of sedating antidepressants with sedative-hypnotics and antianxiety agents.
