Flovent and Depression

There may be a relationship between Flovent and depression. Although depression was not reported as a side effect of Flovent in clinical trials of the medication, there have been some reports of depression associated with Flovent in the time since the medication came on the market. Because depression is so common in the general population, it can be difficult to know whether Flovent causes depression.

 

Is Depression a Side Effect of Flovent?

There are several possible side effects that may occur with Flovent® HFA (fluticasone HFA). Depression may be one of them.
 
This article will use the names "Flovent" and "Flovent HFA" interchangeably to refer to Flovent HFA.
 
In previous clinical trials, depression was not reported as a possible side effect of Flovent HFA. However, since the inhaler was put on the market, there have been some reports of depression in people using Flovent HFA. Given how common depression is within the general population, the fact it was not seen during clinical trials, and how rarely it is reported now, it is difficult to tell whether depression is caused by Flovent HFA, factors unrelated to the medicine, or a combination of both.
 

Understanding Flovent and Depression

Clinical trials are designed to factor out many possible variables in order to understand whether the medicine works and what its possible side effects are. During a study, some people are given the actual medication, while others are given a placebo (which looks like the actual medication but does not contain any of the active ingredients).
 
After a medication is approved and marketed, healthcare providers and patients can report suspected side effects of a medication. Because such reporting is voluntary, it is difficult to estimate how frequently the potential side effect occurs (or if it really is a side effect). This is the case with Flovent and depression.
 
(Flovent 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;