Prozac is a very effective medication in helping with decreased mood, severe depression, and anxiety. Often these conditions accompany stressful life issues….like when someone has a heart attack.
A recent study from Canada, involving 27.000 patients, showed that Prozac, and other SSRI (anti-depressant medications like Zoloft, Lexapro, etc….) and increase the risk of bleeding issues when combined with aspirin or Plavix.
As all patients who have had a heart attack or stroke are on these medications after hospital discharge, the concomitant use of Prozac needs to considered a ‘bleeding risk’.
I would not let this medication ‘stop me’ from using Prozac after a heart attack, but I would put this in the mix of considerations and side effects of the medication, determining if the negative effects were worth taking, particularly if someone is having only minimal mood symptoms.
So….don’t stop your Prozac if you are on aspirin/Plavix, but rather, observe for any issues with excessive bleeding and bring it to my attention if you have concerns, as treated depression is very important too, and untreated depression can have it’s own negative effects.