Antidepressants Linked to an Increased Risk of Strokes

In order to conduct this study, the scientists analyzed all of the studies that had focused on the antidepressant use and stroke. The study involved around 16 studies and more than 500,00 total participants.  

On analyzing these participants who used SSRIs were 50 percent more likely to develop an intracranial haemorrhage than those not taking the antidepressants. Plus nearly 40 percent are more likely to have an intracerebral hemorrhage.

But study author Daniel G. Hackam, MD, PhD, FRCPC, of Western University in London, Ontario, said the findings should be viewed with caution. "Because these types of strokes are very rare, the actual increased risk for the average person is very low," he said.

It was estimated that nearly 24.6 of these strokes occur per 100,000 people per year.

During the study they found that SSRIs increases the risk by one additional stroke per 10,000 people per year.

"Overall, these results should not deter anyone from taking an SSRI when it is needed," Hackam said. "In general these drugs are safe, and obviously there are risks to having depression go untreated. But doctors might consider other types of antidepressants for people who already have risk factors for these types of strokes, such as those taking blood thinners, people who have had similar strokes already or those with severe alcohol abuse."

The details of the study are being published in the October 17, 2012 online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.