SSRI and SNRI antidepressants do not increase the risk of bleeding in stroke survivors. This was demonstrated by a study presented at the conference. American Stroke Association (ASA).
Depression and anxiety are common post-stroke conditions that reduce quality of life and chances of normal recovery. There are effective drugs in the treatment of these diseases, but their effect on the risk of bleeding after stroke is unknown. The fact is that after an ischemic (thrombus-induced) stroke, patients are advised to take “blood thinning” drugs – antiplatelet agents to prevent blood clots. They increase the risk of bleeding, so it is important to consider their interactions with antidepressants.
In the new study, scientists used data from 666 thousand patients who survived ischemic stroke. 35 thousand people were taking antidepressants SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) and 23 thousand people were taking other antidepressants.
Neither type of medication increased the risk of serious bleeding in the digestive tract or bleeding in the brain. They were safe to use when combined with an antiplatelet agent. It was less safe to use antidepressants together with two “blood thinners.” Additionally, other types of antidepressants that were not SNRIs or SSRIs also increased the risk of major bleeding by 15%.
Previous scientists I learnedA drug made from Ginkgo biloba extract has been shown to improve thinking after a stroke.