Do SSRIs cause gastrointestinal bleeding?
Relevant BNF section: 4.3.3 Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRIs) can inhibit uptake, and therefore storage, of serotonin by platelets. This is significant because release of serotonin from platelets augments their aggregation; so use of SSRIs could, in theory, predispose patients to bleeding disorders.1–3 Case reports have suggested a link between SSRIs and easy bruising, nosebleeds, menorrhagia, petechial, ocular, small bowel, rectal and cerebral haemorrhages, and a prolonged bleeding time.4–11 Also, the summaries of product characteristics (SPCs) for all SSRIs include warnings about use in patients with a history of bleeding disorders or concomitant use with drugs known to affect platelet function.12–17 Here we review the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding associated with the use of SSRIs. CiteULike Complore Connotea Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Technorati What’s this?
