Heart Beat: Antidepressants boost bleeding risk
Heart Beat
Antidepressants boost bleeding risk
A note of caution to people taking Paxil, Prozac, and similar antidepressants: Research finds that these and related drugs, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can cause serious bleeding problems.
SSRIs rebalance serotonin levels in the brain, which helps ease depression. But the drugs also affect serotonin levels elsewhere, such as in platelets. These are the sticky cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise