Exploring the association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and rhabdomyolysis risk based on the FDA pharmacovigilance database

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome potentially fatal and has been associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) treatment in a few case reports. Herein, we purpose to establish the correlation between SSRIs use and rhabdomyolysis using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. We conducted an analysis on reports that were submitted to the FAERS database during the period between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2022. Four algorithms, including reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and empirical Bayes geometric mean (EBGM), were employed to quantify the signals of rhabdomyolysis associated with SSRIs. In total, 16,011,277 non-duplicated reports were obtained and analyzed. Among 33,574 reports related to rhabdomyolysis, SSRIs were classified as primary suspected drug in 889 cases. Disproportionality analysis identified a positive signal between rhabdomyolysis and SSRIs (ROR: 2.86, 95% CI 2.67–3.05; PRR: 2.84, χ(2): 1037.16; IC(0.25) = 1.39; EBGM(0.5) = 2.64). Among six SSRIs, fluvoxamine had the strongest signal (ROR: 11.64, 95% CI 8.00–16.93; PRR: 11.38, χ(2): 265.51; IC(0.25) = 2.41; EBGM(0.5) = 8.31), whereas no significant signal of rhabdomyolysis was detected for paroxetine (ROR: 1.83, 95% CI 1.55–2.15; PRR: 1.82, χ(2): 53.82; IC(0.25) = 0.73; EBGM(0.5) = 1.59). After excluding cases co-administered with statins, the signal of rhabdomyolysis associated with SSRIs remains significant. Our analysis reveals that there are differences in safety signals among six SSRIs in respect to the risk of rhabdomyolysis, with fluvoxamine displaying the highest risk signal, while paroxetine did not show a significant signal. Given the potentially lethal nature of rhabdomyolysis, healthcare professionals should inform patients of the potential risk of rhabdomyolysis associated with SSRIs prior to initiating treatment.