Moderate and high affinity serotonin reuptake inhibitors increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal toxicity.
OBJECTIVE
Serotonin release from platelets is important for regulating hemostasis. Some prior studies suggest an association between use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and gastrointestinal bleeding and a possible synergistic effect of these medications with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This study examined the effect of medications that inhibit serotonin uptake on upper gastrointestinal toxicity.


METHODS
359 case subjects hospitalized for upper gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, or benign gastric outlet obstruction were recruited from 28 hospitals. 1889 control subjects were recruited by random digit dialing from the same region. Data were collected during structured telephone interviews. Antidepressant medications were characterized according to their affinity for serotonin receptors. Exposure to medications required use on at least 1 day during the week prior to the index date.


RESULTS
Any moderate or high affinity serotonin reuptake inhibitor (MHA-SRI) use was reported by 61 cases (17.1%) and 197 controls (10.4%). After adjusting for potential confounders, MHA-SRI use was associated with a significantly increased odds of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal toxicity (adjusted OR = 2.0, 95%CI 1.4-3.0). A dose-response relationship in terms of affinity for serotonin uptake receptors was not observed (p = 0.17). No statistical interaction was observed for use of high dose NSAIDs or aspirin concomitantly with MHA-SRIs (p = 0.5). When MHA-SRIs were used concomitantly with high dose NSAIDs, the adjusted odds ratio for the association with upper gastrointestinal toxicity was 3.5 (95%CI 1.9-6.6).


CONCLUSIONS
Use of MHA-SRIs is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal toxicity.
Lewis
James D
JD
Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. jlewis@cceb.med.upenn.edu
Strom
Brian L
BL
Localio
A Russell
AR
Metz
David C
DC
Farrar
John T
JT
Weinrieb
Robert M
RM
Nessel
Lisa
L
Brensinger
Colleen
C
Kimmel
Stephen E
SE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006753:Hospital Records; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000145:classification; D012307:Risk Factors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors