Steroid inhalers and depression

[ChrisR65]

Can the use of steroid inhalers bring on depression?

[Jenzzie18]

I'm not sure about steroid inhalers. I know high dose steroids can. Xx

[Hidden]

No not the normal inhalers. If you take very strong ones then these can cause mood changes. Not sure about depression though.

[Minushabens]

I think if you feel that you are suffering from depression I'd go & have a chat with the GP. I've not come across it before, but the GP can change your medication if s/he thinks there's a link.

Have you just started taking the inhaler? If so, is there a reason (e.g. recent diagnosis)? It could be something like that affecting you, or other related issues. There's a lot of support around for people suffering from depressive illness (and remember that it covers a huge spectrum from 'a bit down' through to suicidal).

Good luck & I hope things soon improve for you.

[Hidden]

Hi ChrisR65

I've asked the nurse team about your question, and Caroline reiterates the comments on the thread. There aren't any significant statistics although it is listed in patient information leaflet as a possible side effect.

But it is more likely to occur for people who take long term high doses of oral steroids for people who are prone to depression.

It is important that the dose of inhaled corticosteroid is titrated to the lowest dose at which effective control of asthma is maintained. The vast majority of people on inhaled steroids are successfully treated with no side effects.

There's some general information on our website about steroids: bit.ly/2rIbXkN

Take care,

Dita

[ChrissieMons]

I think that this is highly unlikely. I do think that a diagnosis of asthma, the prospect of living with this condition all your life, and unpacking your order of inhalers with or without added medication is depressing in itself. However, people do live with it, and live well.

Your GP is the best person to speak to about this and if you want to talk it through, ask if you can book a double slot as baring your soul in 10 minutes is very hard.

All good wishes for strength to get help and get better.