-January 23, 2007
New safety concerns are being raised about a particular class of widely prescribed antidepressants, which are now being linked to a twofold risk of bone fracture in users over the age of 50.
A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, experienced a 10 percent bone fracture rate over a five-year period compared with a 5 percent rate in those who did not use antidepressants.
What this study points to is a need for heightened surveillance of these people, said Dr. Michael Bliziotes of Oregon Health & Science University.
The Study
The study was part of a larger 10-year, 5,000 patient osteoporosis trial. Among the study participants, 2 percent took an SSRI daily. According to Dr. David Goltzman of McGill University in Montreal and lead author of the study, the prevalence of antidepressant use in the general population is about the same.
Research showed that patients on antidepressants were twice as likely to suffer a fall, which Goltzman attributed to common SSRI side effects such as low blood pressure and fainting spells.
The researchers said that the increased incidence of bone breakage appeared to be due to reduced bone thickness and bone strength related to daily use of SSRIs.
The patients most commonly experienced fractures in the forearm, foot, ankle, hip, back, and shin, the study noted.
Bliziotes said that patients taking SSRIs should be sure to get adequate calcium and exercise for maintenance of healthy bones. Patients considering antidepressants who are already at risk for fractures should undergo bone density tests beforehand.
Common SSRIs include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil , and more.
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