New Antidepressants Research Suggests Link Between Use of SSRIs and Increased Mortality Among Critically Ill Patients

NEW YORK, NY, July 03, 2012 (Press-News.org) The Rottenstein Law Group, which represents clients with claims stemming from injuries and birth defects caused by Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Zoloft and Paxil, has learned of research suggesting that critically ill patients who are prescribed the medication after being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital, are more likely to die than patients who are not taking a drug in the SSRI class.

According to a statement issued by the American Thoracic Society, a group of researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducted a study that looked at the medical records of 10,568 patients one year after being admitted to the ICU. Of the 10,568 patient records studied, it was found that 1,876 were taking either an SSRI or a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) prior to admission to the ICU. They were compared to other patients admitted to the ICU who were not taking one of those medications. After making adjustments for age, gender, diagnosis, illness severity and other factors, the researchers determined that patients on SSRI/SNRI's prior to admission to the ICU were 73 percent more likely to die in the hospital and that the increase in risk remained up to one year. Among patient groups, risk was highest among those with acute coronary syndrome and those who had undergone cardiac surgery. For both of these patient groups, the risk of dying in the hospital was more than double if they were taking one of these antidepressants prior to admission. The risk was lower, however, among patients who were taking the drugs but were admitted for treatment of sepsis.

"We found that mortality was higher overall for patients taking antidepressants prior to admission to the ICU and remained significantly higher a year later," said Dr. Katherine. M. Berg, one of the physicians involved in the study. "We also found that certain subgroups of patients, particularly patients admitted for cardiac problems, appeared to be at even greater risk."

Dr. Berg also stated, "Major depression is a common disorder affecting more than 16 percent of adults in the United States, and SSRI's are the most commonly prescribed medication class for this disease. The benefits of SSRI's for the treatment of depression are well documented. Due to the practical limitations of clinical trials, however, the long-term risks are unknown."

The Rottenstein Law Group's Zoloft Lawsuit Information Center at www.zoloftsertralinebirthdefects.com contains social media features that allow for easy sharing on sites like Facebook and Twitter, which enables visitors to spread the word about the potential dangers associated with Zoloft. The firm encourages visitors to link to its sites from their own blogs and Web sites to spread information about dangerous drugs and defective medical devices.

If you took Zoloft and you believe it caused you to suffer harm, or if you took Zoloft while you were pregnant and you believe it caused harm to your unborn baby, visit www.rotlaw.com/zoloft .

About the Rottenstein Law Group
The Rottenstein Law Group is a New York-based law firm that represents clients in mass tort actions. The firm was founded by Rochelle Rottenstein, a lawyer with over two decades of experience in compassionate representation of clients in consumer product injury, mass tort, and class action law suits. For more information, please visit their Web site www.rotlaw.com, or call (888) 9-ROT-LAW.