Abnormal platelet aggregation associated with fluoxetine therapy

Abstract

Objective: To document the development of abnormal hemostasis in a patient treated with fluoxetine.

Case summary: A 49-year-old man developed a release-type defect in platelet aggregation during treatment with fluoxetine. Abnormal platelet aggregation was observed during platelet viability testing, in which adenosine diphosphate, epinephrine, ristocetin, arachidonic acid, and collagen were used as agonists. Two days after the withdrawal of fluoxetine, platelet function returned to normal.

Discussion: Fluoxetine is an antidepressant that is thought to act through inhibition of serotonin reuptake in the central nervous system. Fluoxetine also inhibits the reuptake of serotonin in platelets, significantly decreasing granular storage and potentially influencing platelet aggregation characteristics. Clinical manifestations of abnormal platelet function have been reported in association with fluoxetine therapy.

Conclusions: The rapid normalization of platelet aggregation after the withdrawal of fluoxetine in this patient does not conform to the known clinical pharmacokinetics of norfluoxetine. The half-life of fluoxetine is shorter, suggesting that the parent drug (rather than norfluoxetine) was the causative agent. Serum fluoxetine and norfluoxetine concentrations were not measured in this patient.