Multiple studies have reported that the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke; however, this finding may be the result of a confounding by indication.
However, SSRIs decrease platelet aggregation, which can increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. SSRIs also may increase the risk of ischemic stroke through vasoconstriction caused by serotoninergic activation.
Outpatient Treatment
Some of the most common drugs that can lead to a stroke are cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamine. There are also certain prescription medications that can increase the risk of stroke, such as birth control pills, blood pressure medications and pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
Conclusions. Our study showed that SSRIs are effective in preventing and treating depression, and improving anxiety, motor function, cognitive function, and dependence in patients after stroke.
Some studies showed that PSD can be effectively prevented: nortriptyline, fluoxetine, milnacipran and sertraline appeared to be efficacious in preventing depression after stroke and are to use without significant adverse effects in stroke patients.
Depression relapse is also one of the dangers of taking antidepressants. When a person takes these medications for a long period of time, they become dependent on them in order to block their depression symptoms. Once this person stops taking antidepressants, they may “relapse” and experience depression again.
Avoid driving or operating machinery. Avoid caffeine, tobacco and alcohol. Drink plenty of fluids. Take your antidepressant at bedtime if your doctor approves.
Antidepressants can cause dizziness and unsteadiness, increasing the risk of falls and bone fractures, especially in older people. Interactions with other medications can increase this risk. A very small number of people have had heart problems, epileptic fits or liver damage while taking antidepressants.
Anticoagulants and thrombolytic agents are commonly indicated, as well as drugs of abuse such as cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, and heroin.
High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and is the main cause for increased risk of stroke among people with diabetes.
Anticoagulants prevent blood clots by changing the chemical composition of the blood in a way that prevents clots from forming. Warfarin, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban and rivaroxaban are examples of anticoagulants for long-term use.
Multiple studies have reported that the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke; however, this finding may be the result of a confounding by indication. We examined the association using different approaches to minimize such potential bias.
Depression and antidepressant use are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), a life-threatening condition in which blood clots form in the veins of legs or lungs.
It has been shown that depression effects platelets and leads to dysfunction which causes abnormalities in the clotting mechanism. There are also abnormalities in the immune and inflammation systems which could influence stroke risk..
SSRIs are usually the first choice medicine for depression because they generally have fewer side effects than most other types of antidepressant. As well as depression, SSRIs can be used to treat a number of other mental health conditions, including: generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
“If you're taking antidepressants to manage an anxiety disorder, caffeine can directly counteract the effect of the antidepressants or make anxiety worse,” Dr. Netherton says. Also? Caffeine and antidepressants may also make you more prone to your medication's side effects.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Health care providers often start by prescribing an SSRI . These antidepressants generally cause fewer bothersome side effects and are less likely to cause problems at higher therapeutic doses than other types of antidepressants.
The researchers found that, once pre-existing risk factors had been taken into account, long-term antidepressant use was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, and an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and from any cause.
Antidepressants, specifically SSRIs, which are considered the most tolerable and are, therefore, the most prescribed, are generally safe to take long-term.
It's usually recommended that a course of antidepressants continues for at least 6 months after you feel better, to prevent your condition recurring when you stop. Some people with recurrent illness are advised to carry on taking medicine indefinitely.
Warfarin and heparin are common examples. There are also medicines called direct oral anticoagulant and these include: Apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), edoxaban (Lixiana, Savaysa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto).
Antiplatelet drugs help prevent platelets from sticking together and therefore prevent blood clots from forming. The most commonly used antiplatelet drug is ASA (acetylsalicylic acid, Aspirin). Your doctor can tell you if you should take ASA and how much you need to take to reduce your risk of stroke.
The most widely known and the only FDA-approved drug for treatment of ischemic stroke — intravenous tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) — can reverse stroke if given to carefully selected patients within a few hours of stroke onset.