SSRIs and Dangerous Drug combinations

As seen in this quick article, SSRIs can be dangerous when used used in certain combinations with other drugs. The article also covers other drugs, but we have selected the quote on the psychiatric use of SSRIs.

Dangerous Drug combinations are putting many people at risk, a fact few realize. As Americans take more and more medications for everything from upset stomachs to depression, drug clashes have fueled a new epidemic of unexpected, sometimes dangerous side effects and complications. One recent study suggested that at least 1.3 million Americans have prescriptions for drugs that could cause problems if taken together—and that only counts people with health insurance. Although the overall toll is unknown, it’s undoubtedly huge, experts say. And growing. Taking many medications at the same time, or large doses of a few, can result in a conflict according to Marietta Anthony, PhD, associate director of the Center for Education Research and Therapeutics at the University of Arizona. Common items like drugstore pain relievers can clash with other meds.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can conflict with a triptan drug used to treat migraines because triptans and SSRIs both increase serotonin levels and too much serotonin can cause serotonin syndrome resulting in mania, increased heart rate, seizures, and death.

Chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause bleeding ulcers and other stomach troubles. Adding an SSRI increases this risk since serotonin encourages blood platelets to stick together, but because platelets soak up less serotonin when one is on an SSRI, they may have trouble clumping together to form clots and prevent excessive bleeding.

Of course, as documented elsewhere on this site, SSRIs are dangerous all by themselves, due to various other side effects.