Paroxetine induced platelet dysfunction: A case report

Abstract

Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) a widely prescribed for the treatment of many psychiatric disorders. Paroxetine inhibits uptake of blood serotonin by platelets and leads to depletion of intraplatelet serotonin. Since serotonin is involved in platelet aggregation, this depletion of serotonin can potentially lead to a higher risk of bleeding. Moreover, hyperserotonemia can cause skin and mucous membrane lesions, such as dilated capillaries or telangiectasia that may cause bleeding without any hemostatic defect. In the present, we report a patient with epistaxis, hyposphagma (hemorrhage into the conjunctiva), and massive vaginal hemorrhage intakes paroxetine.