anti depressants and breast cancer

kathleen1966

I am going to put this in a few spots, but I want to know if anyone has read anything about certain anti-depressants being a factor in being diagnosed with breast cancer. I was on anti-depressants for the two year before I received my diagnosis and I would like to go back on them now. But I am very, very worried about what I have read. I think, at best, there have been a few studies that have shown certain anti-depressants to increase the risk but there have not been enough studies overall to confirm this. Some studies say yes, some studies find no link. Has anyone else done research on this? Significantly, research shows that antidepressants may interfere with the efficacy of Tamoxifen. I don't take this though as my cancer was not hormone positive. The drugs in question are Prozac and paxil with Zoloft showing a slight increase. It is very confusing.

KathyL624

Do you have links to the studies? I am on Prozac so interested. My MO and my psychiatrist at the cancer center have never questioned the safety of my taking Prozac (though I could not start it until I got off tamoxifen).

MTwoman

Kathleen,

All of the articles I found after a quick initial search were all concordant saying there was no risk associated. There were different pathways studied and all concluded that there was no increased risk. That being said, there is an interaction between many antidepressants and Tamox, so that needs to be prescribed by someone who is very familiar with them.

kathleen1966

Maybe that is why you had to wait to take the Prozac. I don't have any reputable or valid links to share, only what I have found with google. I was hoping someone had already done more extensive research on the topic. I am hoping/looking for re-assurance.

MTwoman

My quick search was on PubMed, not google. These were reputable studies reported in peer reviewed journals. The first 10 articles (most recently published and most relevant) were clearly concordant that there was no additional bc risk attributable to the use of antidepressants. I find that pretty reassuring

sbelizabeth

Quote from Harvard Health Publications:

Some antidepressants are such strong inhibitors of CYP2D6 that women who take these drugs may not benefit from tamoxifen. Two papers suggest that three antidepressants — paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and bupropion (Wellbutrin) — are most likely to inhibit CYP2D6 and interfere with tamoxifen treatment.

CYP2D6 is an enzyme in the body that converts tamoxifen into its active form, and its presence is necessary for tamoxifen to perform its cancer-prevention job. Certain antidepressants have been shown to interfere with the action of this enzyme.

No such association has been demonstrated with aromatase inhibitors.

As far as antidepressants actually increasing the risk of a breast cancer diagnosis or increasing the risk of recurrence or mets, I looked around, like MTwoman, and can't find any legitimate research that supported that theory. I did find some unsupported, hand-wringing, "we are here to scare you" stuff on the internet about it, though.

mustlovepoodles

I have bipolar disorder, type 2/ depressive type. My lifetime risk of death is higher if I don't take antidepressants than my risk of dying from breast cancer. I will be sticking with my psych drugs.

kathleen1966

Yes, thanks. I have started my meds and I'm not going to worry about this.

MTwoman

Good Kathleen, I think that depression and/or anxiety symptoms can impair our ability to take the best care of ourselves. And taking the best care of yourself is paramount in being able to evaluate information, make good decisions, and bounce back emotionally so that you can get through all of the earthshattering things that happen during bc treatment. Depression affects sleep, energy, mood and how the brain processes information. So glad you are taking good care of yourself! ((hugs))

Lordhelpmetoo

Kathy, I'm also on Prozac. My regular dr prescribed to me. Spoke to my onco and she said not to worry about it now till after my BMX in may. Most likely I'll be switched to Effexor. I think Prozac does interfere with tamixi

Maryb2017

my oncologist would only let me tsking affexor because it isn't metabolized the same way and will not interfere with arimidex.

fcancer2020

Greetings,

I've recently been diagnosed with HR+ S2 & DCIS - after taking Paroxetine (Paxil). I began taking it in Jan 2019 & found a lump in early May. I have no gene indicators nor family history. I have since undergone a double mastectomy.

I am looking to start a class action lawsuit as not only are most health care providers unaware of the link between Paxil & development of breast cancer - but it is not listed as a possible danger or side effect. Had I known there was a risk I would have never taken it.

Please reach out to me if you are interested in pursuing a case. I believe there are many of us out there with the same diagnosis because of this drug. We should have been given the opportunity to make an informed decision. If we can Google numerous research studies showing a direct link between Paxil & HR+ breast cancer - how did Pharma not know????

I wish you the best in your recovery.