Posted by wendi on August 1, 2001, at 21:14:19
In reply to Re: Bruising on Celexa, anyone? » KB, posted by Sunnely on August 1, 2001, at 20:58:53
> OOps! that was meant for Sunnely. Thanks for the great information.
Easy bruising has been reported with the use of SSRIs (e.g., Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Luvox) and Effexor (a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). This adverse reaction appears to be more common with Prozac. Other bleeding tendencies reported with the use of serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) include nose bleeding (epistaxis), menorrhargia (heavy menstrual flow) and other menstrual problems, ulcerations with hemorrhage, bleeding internal hemorrhoids, and melena (blackish stool).
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> The mechanism as to how this adverse reaction occurs seems related to the effect of the SRIs on serotonin. Under normal circumstances, platelets (blood particles responsible for clotting) release serotonin at the site of vascular tears, leading to further platelet aggregation and vasodilation (blood vessels enlarge). This permits sealing of the tear stopping the bleeding. It appears that the SRIs block the reuptake of serotonin into the platelets which lead to decreased serotonin to be released by the platelets into the site of bleeding.
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> Concomitant drugs or herbs taken along with the SRIs may also increased risk of bleeding tendencies. For example NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin, Aleve, etc., and aspirin), which have anti-platelet effect, taken with SRIs may increase one's risk for gastrointestinal bleeding. Herbs like ginseng, garlic, guarana, ginger, and ginkgo (the "G" herbs) taken along with SRIs may also increase the risk for bleeding tendencies.
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> The following is also theoretically possible. When someone on SRIs consumes more green, leafy vegetables (abundant in the summer months), the risk of bleeding may also increase. Vitamin K is found in these vegetables and excesssive consumption along with SRIs may further increase risk for bleeding.
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> The following is a case of spontaneous bruising reported with the use of Effexor. A 19-year-old woman developed spontaneous bruising on her arms a week after beginning Effexor, 50 mg twice a day. She had no personal or family history of any bleeding disorder nor any other medical condition. Her clotting factors and platelet count were noted to be within normal limits. Once Effexor was stopped, her bruisings resolved over 10 days.
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> > Has anyone experienced bruising on Celexa (or similar drugs? I've been taking it since mid-June and have been acquiring strange bruises lately -they're round-ish, ranging in size from a dime to a quarter, and are on my shins, thighs, arms and backs of hands -at the moment I have eight of them and needless to say, I don't remember doing anything to cause them. I'm just wondering if they are related to the Celexa in which case I will point them out to my pdoc or not, in which case I will go see my GP.
poster:wendi
thread:3948
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010731/msgs/72986.html