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Which SSRI is safest for patients with CVD and major depressive disorder?
Sabrina Dunham1, G Lucy Wilkening, Nicholas C Schwier
1Sabrina Dunham is a cardiology pharmacy specialty resident at HCA Tristar Centennial Medical Center/University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Nashville, Tenn. G. Lucy Wilkening is an associate professor in the Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology at Idaho State University's College of Pharmacy in Meridian, Idaho. Nicholas C. Schwier is an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and a clinical pharmacy specialist in cardiology at OU Medicine Inc., both in Oklahoma City, Okla. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Abstract:
Major depressive disorder is a common mood disorder and presents increased morbidity and mortality risks for patients with comorbid cardiovascular disease (CVD). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a cornerstone of treatment for major depressive disorder, given their relative safety and affordability compared with other antidepressant classes, and SSRIs frequently are used in patients with CVD. However, clinicians should carefully weigh safety considerations before prescribing SSRIs in these patients. This article reviews the safety of SSRIs in patients with CVD and discusses SSRI selection.
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