Researchers from Denmark reported that patients who are long-term takers of tricyclic antidepressant medications have a 53% increased incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). These data were also published in the July issue of Epidemiology.
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© 1998-2007 OncoEd.com All Rights Reserved.Comment: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the rarer cancers (
lifetime risk = 2.05%).
As the authors note, in Denmark SSRIs are recommended as the first choice in mild to moderate depression and tricyclic antidepressants for severe or melancholic depression. The use of tricyclic antidepressants in the study population might be a marker for other factors such as more severe mood problems, or behavioural factors that may mediate lymphoma risk — for example, a greater exposure to viruses. Treatments should not be changed because of a single observational study.
Do not stop any depression medication unless directed to do so by your provider. When some depression medications are discontinued, abruptly worsening depression, anxiety and flu-like symptoms may occur. While not life-threatening these may be quite uncomfortable.
tags: tricyclic antidepressants
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