A study found mixing common painkillers with antidepressants may increase the risk of intracranial bleeding, according to the Washington Post.
Here are seven things to know:
1. Researchers noted the finding does not mean the combination of the drugs causes the bleeding. Rather, there is a possible link that must be researched further.
2. Other unknown factors such as coding errors or incomplete records may contribute the results. However, researchers claim the analysis is strong enough that patients mixing the drugs should use caution.
3. The study focused on more than 4.1 million patients in South Korea's national health database who began taking antidepressant for the first time from 2010 to 2013. Of those patients, approximately 2 million were also receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during the initial 30 days in which they took antidepressants.
4. The study found 742 individuals experienced intracranial bleedings. Of those individuals, 573 were taking both antidepressants and NSAIDs. The risk appeared to be greater for men rather than women.
5. The Food and Drug Administration enhanced its safety label for the drugs, issuing warnings that even short-term use could be linked with increased stroke and heart attack risk.
6. Sixty-five percent of adults with major depression also experience chronic pain, thus requiring the combination of NSAIDS and antidepressants.
7. More research must be conducted to determine the long-term effects of combined treatment in addition to the risk of intracranial bleeding when the drugs are used independent from one other.
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