HIVers experiencing depression, particularly those taking a psychiatric medication for the condition, should be especially careful when prescribed the integrase inhibitor Isentress. Four case studies recently reported in the journal AIDS describe severely worsening cases of depression after the initiation of Isentress, ranging from suicidal thoughts to psychosis requiring hospitalization. Swapping or adjusting the dosages of medications used to treat depression ultimately alleviated the condition in all four patients, leaving the researchers to theorize that Isentress may react badly with one or more psychotropic drugs.
