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. 2022 Sep 30;63(8):456–461. doi: 10.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2021-305

Supplementary Table 2.

Drugs that can cause behavioral change.(8-11)

Drug Effect Type of effect
Commonly prescribed drugs
 Corticosteroids Affective symptoms (depressive, mood lability, mania), insomnia, psychosis Adverse Drug
Reaction (ADR), withdrawal
 NSAIDs Anxiety, agitation, hallucinations, psychosis, sleep disorders, fatigue ADR
 Antihistamines Sedation, agitation, psychosis Paranoia, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, drowsiness ADR
Overdose
 Montelukast Nightmares, depression, agitation ADR
Cardiovascular drugs
 Calcium channel blockers Lethargy, mania, psychosis ADR
 Beta blockers Fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, psychosis ADR
Psychiatric drugs
 Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Insomnia, irritability, suicidality ADR
 Benzodiazepines Sedation, disinhibition Abuse
Centrally acting drugs
 Anti-epileptics A variety of psychiatric manifestations: somnolence, psychosis, agitation and irritability, sleep disturbance, depression ADR
 Opioids Sedation, psychosis, euphoria,addiction and dependence, confusion ADR
Abuse
 Sympathomimetics e.g. Phentermine Agitation, depression, suicidality ADR Abuse
 Dopamine agonists (drugs for Parkinson’s disease) Delirium, visual hallucinations, impulsivity such as hypersexuality, impulse buying, gambling ADR
Anti-infective agents
 Anti-retrovirals Depression, irritability, agitation, sleep disturbances ADR
 Mefloquine Nightmares, vivid dreams, psychosis, panic attack ADR
 Penicillins Irritability, encephalopathy, anxiety, hallucinations ADR
 Other antibiotics (quinolones, tetracyclines, bactrim) Hallucinations, mood disorders ADR
 Ketoconazole, griseofulvin Depression, psychosis ADR

Isotretinoin Suicidality, depression, psychosis ADR

Illicit substances
 Amphetamines
 Cocaine
 Hallucinogens
 Ketamine
 Glue sniffing
Hallucinations, euphoria, psychosis, paranoia, impaired judgment, hypervigilance Abuse Depression, lethargy Abuse
Withdrawal

It is useful to ask about recent initiation, cessation or titration of doses of medications. Initiation of other drugs may precipitate drug-drug interactions. The above list is non-exhaustive.