title: Potential vascular and bleeding complications of treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
abstract: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) alter peripheral handling of serotonin, leading to potential side effects. Further, the majority of the body's serotonin is found outside the central nervous system. Peripheral serotonin is important in platelet aggregation and the modulation of vascular tone. SSRIs block platelet uptake and pulmonary endothelial metabolism of serotonin, and use of these agents may conceivably result in bleeding and vasospastic complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX 78236-5300, USA.
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Skop
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D004727:Endothelium / Q000187:drug effects; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000209:etiology*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors