Antidepressants can induce mutation and enhance persistence toward multiple antibiotics.

Antidepressants can boost resistance to antibiotics

30 June 2023

Taking common prescription antidepressants can lead to enhanced resistance to antibiotics.

The growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is a major threat to public health. It has been largely attributed to the overuse of antibiotics, but little is known about whether other drugs may provide a helping hand.

Now, a team led by researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia has found that even short spells on one of five commonly prescribed antidepressants can increase resistance to antibiotics.

The researchers indicated a possible mechanism for how this increase in resistance arises — antidepressants may subject bacteria to oxidative stress. They also modelled it mathematically.

Given the high use of antidepressants, it is vital to consider their effect on boosting antibiotic resistance, the researchers say.

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References

1. PNAS 120, e2208344120 (2023). doi: 10.1073/pnas.2208344120