Key result
Beta-blockers show mixed evidence for causing depression across case reports and RCTs.
Why the study?
Discrepancies exist between findings from case reports and randomized controlled trials regarding the association between beta-adrenergic blockers and depression.
Do beta-blockers (specifically propranolol) cause depression?
Systematic Review (n=32)
Do beta-blockers (specifically propranolol) cause depression?
Evidence from case reports suggests a possible causal relationship between propranolol and depression, highlighting that RCTs may fail to detect adverse effects due to methodological limitations such as lack of systematic assessment.
Beta-blockers may warrant depression monitoring; leaves open whether standard RCTs reliably detect psychiatric adverse effects.
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Steffensmeier et al. (2006) conducted a systematic review in Depression (n=32). Beta-blockers (Propranolol) vs. Control groups (in RCTs) was evaluated on Depression. Twelve of 24 case reports suggested a likely causal relationship between beta-blockers and depression, while control group depression rates in 3 RCTs varied widely (0-40%, p<0.0001).
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