Conference paper
WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF NSAIDS AS AN ADJUNCT TO SSRIS FOR TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION? AN EVALUATION OF CURRENT EVIDENCE
Amie Varney
; Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Kate Womersley
; Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Mark Agius
; Clare College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Abstract
Background: Over the past twenty years, psychiatric researchers have recognised the important role played by inflammation in
the pathogenesis of depression. There has been increasing interest in the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as a way to enhance the efficacy of antidepressant treatments. It is essential that psychiatrists and GPs who prescribe these drugs in conjunction, understand possible interactions, particularly the risk of bleeding.
Subjects and methods: This paper is a literature review regarding NSAID co-prescription with SSRIs and the potential risks and
benefits. The objectives of this systematic review are to assess the evidence for the use of NSAIDs as an adjunct to standard
antidepressant drugs and evaluate this against the evidence contraindicating such a treatment combination.
Results: Our research suggests that there is evidence to support both the anti-inflammatory benefits of NSAIDs for treating
depression, as well as evidence suggesting that NSAIDs increases the risk of bleeding when co-prescribed with SSRIs.
Conclusions: When a broad consideration of the risks and benefits is done, the review is inconclusive about guidelines for coprescription. More research is required to make strong claims about whether the type of NSAID and duration of treatment influences the risk (or benefit) of co-prescription.
Keywords
depression; antidepressive agents; NSAIDs; SSRIs; bleeding risk
Hrčak ID:
263726
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2017.
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