Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Bleeding Risk: Considerations for the Consult-Liaison Psychiatrist

To present a clinically oriented review of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-related bleeding issues commonly addressed by consult-liaison psychiatrists.

Concomitant medical, surgical, or hospital-based conditions exacerbate the risk of SSRI-related bleeding even though a review of the literature suggests it is only marginally elevated. Psychiatrists and other clinicians need to consider these conditions along with antidepressant benefits when answering the question: to start, hold, continue, or change the antidepressant? Where an evidence base is limited, mechanistic understanding may help consult-liaison psychiatrists navigate this terrain and collaborate with other medical specialties on responsible antidepressant management. Most often, the risk is cumulative; data are not directly applicable to complex clinical situations. This review incorporates a hematologic perspective and approach to bleeding risk assessment along with extant data on SSRI-induced bleeding risk ad specific medical conditions.