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Research shows that use of popular antidepressants
is linked to an increased risk of some strokes
caused by bleeding in the brain, but that the risk
is low, according to a multi-study analysis
published in the October 17, 2012, online issue of
Neurology®, the medical journal of the American
Academy of Neurology.
For the research, scientists analyzed all of the
studies that have looked at antidepressant use and
stroke, which included 16 studies with more than
500,000 total participants. They found that people
taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
which are the most commonly used antidepressants,
were 50 percent more likely to have an intracranial
hemorrhage than those not taking the antidepressants
and about 40 percent more likely to have an
intracerebral hemorrhage.
But study author Daniel G. Hackam, MD, PhD, FRCPC,
of Western University in London, Ontario, said the
findings should be viewed with caution. "Because
these types of strokes are very rare, the actual
increased risk for the average person is very low,"
he said.
An estimated 24.6 of these strokes occur per 100,000
people per year. According to the research, the use
of SSRIs would increase the risk by one additional
stroke per 10,000 people per year.
"Overall, these results should not deter anyone from
taking an SSRI when it is needed," Hackam said. "In
general these drugs are safe, and obviously there
are risks to having depression go untreated. But
doctors might consider other types of
antidepressants for people who already have risk
factors for these types of strokes, such as those
taking blood thinners, people who have had similar
strokes already or those with severe alcohol abuse."
For more information
American Academy of Neurology
(MDN)
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