MajorDirect oral anticoagulants (factor Xa inhibitors)×Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Updated · Methodology
Mechanism
Sertraline (SSRI) depletes the platelet serotonin pool and impairs primary haemostasis. Combined with apixaban, upper GI bleeding risk roughly doubles.
Symptoms
Gum bleeding, epistaxis, bruising without trauma, blood in urine or stool, menorrhagia. Severe cases include gastrointestinal or intracranial haemorrhage. Risk rises in patients over 65 and with prior peptic ulcer disease.
Management
The combination is acceptable when antidepressant therapy is needed. PPI cover with pantoprazole is advisable. Alternative antidepressants with minimal platelet effect: mirtazapine or agomelatine.
Check the full regimen, not just this pair
Opens the checker with these two drugs prefilled. Add the rest of the regimen and recompute additive risks.
Summary of a multi-drug list →
Medicine list: everything you take in one place →
Sources
- Lexicomp: Lexicomp Drug Interactions (2024)– Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. Lexi-Interact Online, 2024
- Pharmaceutical Press: Stockley's Drug Interactions, 12th edition (2024)– Preston CL (ed.). Stockley's Drug Interactions. 12th ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2024
- AEMPS: Ficha técnica de Eliquis 5 mg comprimidos recubiertos con película (apixabán) (2026)– AEMPS, CIMA (texto EMA), nº registro 111691009, secciones 4.4 y 4.5
- AEMPS: Ficha técnica: Sertralina (nº registro 66057), sección 4.4 (2025)– AEMPS, CIMA, nº registro 66057, revisión 08/2025, sección 4.4