Severe bleeding up to 40 percent more likely for patients who are taking antidepressants especially SSRIs, according to new research.

‘Physicians should educate their patients on how to recognize symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding during the first 30 days of SSRI therapy especially if they are taking concurrent medications that may increase bleeding risk.’
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The most common and concerning interactions occur with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), anticoagulants like warfarin (Coumadin) or antiplatelet medications such as aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix).Read More..





"The real risk comes from the assumption that each of these drugs is relatively safe and benign. But they all carry a risk for bleeding, and that risk increases when these medications are taken concurrently," says lead author Wei Cheng Yuet, PharmD, assistant professor of pharmacotherapy at University of North Texas Health Science Center. While gastrointestinal bleeding is most common, in rare instances patients can develop intracranial bleeding, which is a life-threatening event.
SSRIs are used to treat major depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. A signi?cant portion of SSRI prescriptions are written by primary care physicians.
Yuet says that the risk for bleeding is well established but not well known among patients. She encourages physicians to take a full inventory of the medications their patients take, including over-the-counter NSAIDs.
"Whenever physicians discover their patients are taking any combination of these medications, they should begin assessing the risks and benefits and determine whether there are alternative treatment plans," says Yuet. "For example, physicians should periodically assess antidepressant use even when patients are stable on therapy."
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