Substance- or medication-induced depressive disorder is characterized by marked mood changes from a person's baseline mood associated with the person's exposure to a substance or medication. Onset of symptoms occurs during or within 1 month of a patient initiating use of a substance or medication. Depression persisting past a drug withdrawal period is also considered substance- / medication-induced depressive disorder. Duration of symptoms depends on the particular drug, dose, half-life, and duration of use before onset of symptoms.

The estimated lifetime prevalence of drug-induced depression is 0.26%. People with drug-induced depression are more likely to report a family history of substance use, antisocial behavior, and stressful life events. Compared to individuals with major depressive disorder, people with drug-induced depression are more likely to report feelings of worthlessness, sleep pattern changes, and drug-induced suicidal ideation than depressed mood. Type of medication and dose affect the likelihood of a patient developing depressive symptoms.

Substances and medications that have been shown to induce depressive symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Alcohol
• Stimulants (eg, cocaine)
• Cardiovascular agents (clonidine, guanethidine, methyldopa, reserpine, beta blockers)
• Dermatologic agents (isotretinoin)
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Anticonvulsants (levetiracetam)
• Antimigraine medications (triptans)
• Hormonal agents (corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, tamoxifen)
• Varenicline
• Immunological agents (interferons)
• Levodopa

Patients with this disorder may have an increased risk of various general medical conditions.