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Published on: January 31, 2022
The Association Between Antidepressant Use and Drug-Induced Liver Injury: A Nationwide, Population-Based Case-Control
Ching-Ya Huang1,2, Ying-Shu You3,4, Jian-Ming Lai3
1Department of Pharmacy, Asia University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Antidepressant use increases liver injury risk, especially with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). The initial 30 days of treatment pose the highest risk for drug-induced liver injury.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacovigilance
- Hepatology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Antidepressant-induced liver injury (DILI) presents complex risk factors, hindering causal relationship establishment.
- Understanding DILI risk associated with various antidepressant classes and usage patterns is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between antidepressant use and liver injury.
- To explore the impact of antidepressant class, treatment duration, comorbidities, and concomitant medications on DILI risk.
Main Methods:
- A population-based case-control study utilized the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database (2000-2018).
- Cases were hospitalized patients with suspected DILI; controls were matched 1:1 by age, gender, and index date.
- Multivariable regression models assessed the association between antidepressants and liver injury.
Main Results:
- Antidepressant users showed an elevated risk of liver injury (aOR 1.16).
- Specific classes like SSRIs (aOR 1.22) and SNRIs (aOR 1.18) were associated with increased DILI risk.
- Higher risk was observed during the first 30 days of antidepressant use (aOR 1.24).
Conclusions:
- Antidepressants, particularly SSRIs and SNRIs, are linked to an increased risk of liver injury.
- Clinical consideration of potential hepatotoxicity is essential when prescribing these medications.
- Early treatment duration is a critical factor in antidepressant-related liver injury.
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