Bleeding risk associated with antidepressant use

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can increase the risk of bleeding (eg gastrointestinal, uterine, intracranial or periprocedural bleeding). The likelihood of bleeding is increased if the patient has other bleeding risk factors. To minimise bleeding risk in these patients, choose an alternative antidepressant or address other bleeding risk factors (eg using a proton pump inhibitor for gastroprotection in patients taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID]).