Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications have been linked to increased
bleeding risk; however, the actual association among
warfarin, SSRI exposure, and
bleeding risk has not been well-established. We studied the AnTicoagulation and Risk factors In
Atrial fibrillation cohort of 13,559 adults with
atrial fibrillation, restricted to the 9,186 patients contributing follow-up time while taking
warfarin. Exposure to
SSRIs and
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) was assessed from pharmacy database dispensing data. The main outcome was hospitalization for major
hemorrhage. Results were adjusted for
bleeding risk and time in international normalized ratio range >3. We identified 461 major
hemorrhages during 32,888 person-years of follow-up, 45 events during SSRI use, 12 during TCA-only use, and 404 without either medication.
Hemorrhage rates were higher during periods of SSRI exposure compared with periods on no
antidepressants (2.32 per 100 person-years vs 1.35 per 100 person-years, p <0.001) and did not differ between TCA exposure and no
antidepressants (1.30 per 100 person-years on TCAs, p = 0.94). After adjustment for underlying
bleeding risk and time in international normalized ratio range >3, SSRI exposure was associated with an increased rate of
hemorrhage compared with no
antidepressants (adjusted relative risk 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.92, p = 0.03), whereas TCA exposure was not (adjusted relative risk 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.46 to 1.46, p = 0.50). In conclusion, SSRI exposure was associated with higher major
hemorrhage risk in patients taking
warfarin, and this risk should be considered when selecting
antidepressant treatments in those patients.