Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen and naproxen when consumed along with antidepressants may result in intracranial haemorrhage, suggests a new study published in the BMJ.

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The risk of intracranial haemorrhage, the bleeding that occurs around the brain within the skull, is higher when people under antidepressant medication consume NSAIDs, says the research conducted at Seoul National University College of Medicine, reported UPI.

The researchers studied the data of about four million people that started consuming antidepressants around 2009 to 2013. It was observed that about 50 percent of the antidepressant-consuming patients were prescribed NSAIDs like naproxen and ibuprofen.  

The investigators collected data from the hospital records of patients admitted to the facility with intracranial haemorrhage that occurred within 30 days after consuming both antidepressants and NSAIDs together. It was observed that people that consumed both pills together had 60 percent higher risk of intracranial haemorrhage than those that consumed only antidepressant medication, reported Philly.  

The risk of bleeding in the brain was 1.2 times higher in women that took both the medications together than those that had only one of the pills; whereas, men that consumed both the medications were observed to have 2.6 times higher risk of intracranial haemorrhage. Different groups of antidepressants like SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclics reportedly had the same impact on the patients as far as the study is concerned.

It is to be noted that the study is carried out with NSAIDs that are widely prescribed by the physicians and not with the commonly available over-the-counter (OCT) painkillers which could be of lower doses than the former ones.  

The author of the study, Byung-Joo Park, noted on the effect of OCT on this issue, saying: "It might be a future study - there are many possibilities." He also added that "Therefore, we should consider every case. For example, the risk might be higher because OTC NSAIDs are used without any professional advice or monitoring. Or the risk could be lower, because OTC NSAIDs consumers might be healthier users compared with prescription," as per Forbes.  

The researchers also noted that the antidepressants as well as the NSAIDs, when used alone, have inhibitory effects on the platelets and could pose a slight risk of gastrointestinal bleeding that are not related to intracranial haemorrhage by far unless used in combination with each other. 

TagsAntidepressant, Painkiller, Brain Bleeding, Intracranial Haemorrhage, Over-the-counter Painkillers