BACKGROUND: In case reports and observational studies, serotonin reuptake-inhibitors (SSRIs) have been linked to an increased risk of bleeding, possibly due to platelet dysfunction as a consequence of serotonin-uptake blockade into platelets. OBJECTIVE: The authors propose that bleeding as a result of SSRI use may also be caused by other mechanisms. METHOD: Here, the authors report on a 32-year-old woman with hemorrhages resulting from severe drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia after 4 weeks of citalopram therapy. RESULTS: After withdrawal of citalopram and treatment with platelet concentrates and prednisolone, the patient recovered completely. CONCLUSION: As this case report shows, drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia may present another possible mechanism for bleeding in SSRI-treated patients.
BACKGROUND: In case reports and observational studies, serotonin reuptake-inhibitors (SSRIs) have been linked to an increased risk of bleeding, possibly due to platelet dysfunction as a consequence of serotonin-uptake blockade into platelets. OBJECTIVE: The authors propose that bleeding as a result of SSRI use may also be caused by other mechanisms. METHOD: Here, the authors report on a 32-year-old woman with hemorrhages resulting from severe drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia after 4 weeks of citalopram therapy. RESULTS: After withdrawal of citalopram and treatment with platelet concentrates and prednisolone, the patient recovered completely. CONCLUSION: As this case report shows, drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia may present another possible mechanism for bleeding in SSRI-treated patients.
Authors: Seetal Dodd; Gin S Malhi; John Tiller; Isaac Schweitzer; Ian Hickie; Jon Paul Khoo; Darryl L Bassett; Bill Lyndon; Philip B Mitchell; Gordon Parker; Paul B Fitzgerald; Marc Udina; Ajeet Singh; Steven Moylan; Francesco Giorlando; Carolyn Doughty; Christopher G Davey; Michael Theodoros; Michael Berk Journal: Aust N Z J Psychiatry Date: 2011-09 Impact factor: 5.744