THE NURSE'S ROLE IN PREVENTING THE EXACERBATION OF DRUG-INDUCED DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

Abstract

Depression is a highly prevalent mental disorder with significant impact on public health, requiring safe and well-structured clinical interventions. In this context, this study aimed to analyze how the inadequate use of psychotropic medications can worsen depressive symptoms in patients already diagnosed with depression, recognizing the importance of appropriate pharmacological management and the strategic role of nursing in promoting safe and humanized care. The investigation followed a qualitative approach, conducted through an integrative literature review in scientific databases such as the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and Google Scholar. The selection included articles published between 2020 and 2025, in Portuguese, available in full, and addressing themes related to depression, psychotropic medications, and nursing practices in clinical monitoring. The analysis considered aspects such as the risks associated with inadequate medicalization, the clinical impact of drug classes most linked to the worsening of depressive symptoms, and the nursing interventions used to prevent harm, with the synthesis structured from the critical reading of the selected studies. The results showed that the inappropriate use or prescription of specific drug classes—such as corticosteroids, benzodiazepines, and opioids—may intensify depressive symptoms, cause emotional instability, and compromise therapeutic progress. The study also found that the role of nurses is essential in preventing these adverse outcomes through clinical monitoring, health education, and systematic evaluation of psychotropic use. Thus, the findings demonstrate that strengthening nursing practices and promoting adequate clinical follow-up are fundamental strategies to reduce risks, enhance patient safety, and improve the effectiveness of depression treatment.