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• Posted October 26, 2021

Antidepressants Plus Common Painkillers May Raise Bleeding Risk

Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a mainstay of depression treatment, but a new study warns that taking common painkillers alongside SSRIs may raise the chances for intestinal bleeding.

In a review of 10 published studies involving 6,000 patients, researchers found that those taking SSRIs (such as Celexa, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft) and pain medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil and Aleve had an increased risk for gastrointestinal bleeding.

"When adding SSRIs to patients already on NSAIDs, the odds of developing an upper gastrointestinal bleed increased by 75%," said lead researcher Dr. Syed Alam, chief resident in internal medicine at Creighton University School of Medicine, in Omaha, Neb.

The increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is likely due to the interaction of the two types of drugs, he said. NSAIDs inhibit the production of prostaglandin, which protects the gastrointestinal tract, and SSRIs inhibit the production of platelets, which are needed for clotting. This combination, therefore, increases the risk for bleeding, Alam explained.

"The risk of upper gastrointestinal bleed by adding an SSRI to an NSAID needs to be discussed between the patient and physician," he said. "When possible, it is best to reduce or discontinue NSAIDs prior to starting an SSRI in order to minimize upper gastrointestinal bleed risk."

Dr. Elena Ivanina, director of neurogastroenterology and motility at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said that in addition to the effect on platelets, SSRIs increase stomach acidity, which can result in peptic ulcers, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

"Doctors and patients should both be aware of the medications that increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding," she said. "Patients should always discuss their medications with their doctor. For example, because the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding is significantly elevated when SSRIs are used together with NSAIDs like Motrin, doctors should exercise caution and consider alternative treatments to this combination."

Ivanina said that the signs of gastrointestinal bleeding can be obvious or hidden.

Gastrointestinal bleeding can cause vomiting of blood or blood in the stool or black stool, she said. "Some bleeding, however, may be microscopic and not seen; therefore, symptoms of anemia such as fatigue, shortness of breath on exertion or lightheadedness may signal blood loss as well," Ivanina said.

Another expert believes that because patients are increasingly receiving other antidepressants that also relieve pain, the risk for internal bleeding tied to these medications needs to be studied.

Dr. Jeffrey Fudin, founder of Pharmacist Consulting Services, said that it is well-known that SSRIs increase bleeding risk.

"Patients should also be aware that aspirin and anticoagulants elevate the risk of gastrointestinal bleed with or without NSAIDs," he said. This is because serotonin found in platelets, responsible for clotting, is inhibited by SSRIs, which impair platelet function.

Because many doctors are shying away from prescribing opioids, many patients are now being given serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) or milnacipran (Savella), both of which are U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved as antidepressants and also for pain, he said.

"Although fewer studies have examined the bleeding risks of SNRIs, it is logical to expect SNRIs will affect bleeding risk, albeit to a lesser extent than SSRIs," Fudin said.

The findings were presented Sunday at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting, which is being held in Las Vegas and online. Findings presented at medical meetings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information

For more on SSRIs, head to the Mayo Clinic.

SOURCES: Syed Alam, MD, chief resident, internal medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Neb.; Elena Ivanina, DO, MPH, director, neurogastroenterology and motility, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD, founder, Pharmacist Consulting Services, Albany, N.Y.; Oct. 24, 2021, presentation, American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting, Las Vegas and online