Combination of antidepressants and NSAIDs can increase risk of bleeding inside the skull
People taking antidepressants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a greater risk of bleeding incidents, researchers explain in the British Medical Journal.
Experts looked at the evidence suggesting that NSAIDs can increase the risk of bleeding inside the skull when they interact with antidepressants.
They analysed data from over four million people (from the Korean nationwide health insurance database) who were prescribed antidepressants and obtained NSAID prescriptions. Hospital records were used to identify the time to first admission with bleeding inside the skull within 30 days of a new prescription.
Using both antidepressants and NSAIDs was associated with a substantially increased bleeding risk compared to people only taking antidepressants.
The type of antidepressant didn’t make a difference and neither did age, but men seemed more susceptible than women.
“The addition of NSAIDs to antidepressant treatment increased the risk of intracranial haemorrhage within 30 days of the combination starting, especially in men,” the researchers say. “This result adds to evidence confirming the increase of risk with combination use of antidepressants and NSAIDs.”
A spokesman from Arthritis Research UK comments:
“Research like this re-emphasises the importance of ensuring that people with arthritis are on the right medication and right combination of medication for their condition.
“If anyone has any concerns, they should discuss these as soon as possible with their GP or pharmacist. We would encourage people to regularly review the medication they are taking with their doctor or pharmacist, making sure they mention all medication they are taking – both prescribed and not prescribed, ie over the counter.”
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Image credit: Mike Knlec
