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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Bleeding Risk: Considerations for the Consult-Liaison Psychiatrist

  • COMPLEX MEDICAL-PSYCHIATRIC ISSUES (MB RIBA, SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To present a clinically oriented review of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-related bleeding issues commonly addressed by consult-liaison psychiatrists.

Recent Findings

Concomitant medical, surgical, or hospital-based conditions exacerbate the risk of SSRI-related bleeding even though a review of the literature suggests it is only marginally elevated. Psychiatrists and other clinicians need to consider these conditions along with antidepressant benefits when answering the question: to start, hold, continue, or change the antidepressant?

Summary

Where an evidence base is limited, mechanistic understanding may help consult-liaison psychiatrists navigate this terrain and collaborate with other medical specialties on responsible antidepressant management. Most often, the risk is cumulative; data are not directly applicable to complex clinical situations. This review incorporates a hematologic perspective and approach to bleeding risk assessment along with extant data on SSRI-induced bleeding risk ad specific medical conditions.

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Data Availability

Data are available upon request. 

Abbreviations

CVA:

Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

EtOH:

Ethanol or alcohol

HTN:

Hypertension

PT:

Prothrombin time

PTT:

Partial thromboplatin time

SSRI:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

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Acknowledgements

The editors would like to thank Dr. Madhavi-Latha Nagalla for taking the time to review this manuscript. The authors would like to thank the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and its special interest group, Palliative Care & Psycho-Oncology.

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We had multiple roles in writing the manuscript including the conception, design, acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of the data.

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Correspondence to Daniel McFarland.

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Daniel McFarland, Dale Merchant, Abhisek Khandai, Mona Mojtahedzadeh, Omar Ghosn, Jeremy Hirst, Depti Chopra, Shehzad Niazi, Jennifer Brandstetter, Andrew Gleason, Garrett Key, and Barbara Lubrano di Cicconeeach declare no potential conflicts of interest. Hermioni Amonoo has received a grant from the National Cancer Institute.

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McFarland, D., Merchant, D., Khandai, A. et al. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Bleeding Risk: Considerations for the Consult-Liaison Psychiatrist. Curr Psychiatry Rep 25, 113–124 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-023-01411-1

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