Posted 6/14/2010 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Members have asked in the past what is Serotonin Syndrome ?
Serotonin syndrome occurs when you take medications that cause high levels of the chemical serotonin to accumulate in your body. It can occur when you increase the dose of such a drug or add a new drug to the ones you take already. Certain illicit drugs and dietary supplements also can cause serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin is a chemical produced by your body and is needed for your nerve cells and brain to function. But too much serotonin causes problems. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome range from shivering and diarrhea to severe symptoms such as muscle rigidity, fever and seizures. Severe serotonin syndrome can be fatal if it isn't treated. Serotonin syndrome usually goes away within a day of stopping the medications causing symptoms and taking drugs that block serotonin, if needed.
Serotonin syndrome symptoms typically occur within several hours of taking a new drug or increasing the dose of a drug you're already taking. Signs and symptoms include:
Agitation or restlessness
Confusion
Rapid Heart Rate
Loss of muscle coordination or twitching muscles
Heavy Sweating
Dilated pupils
Diarrhea
Headache
Shivering
Goose Bumps
If you suspect you might have serotonin syndrome after starting a new drug or increasing the dose of a drug you're already taking, call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room. If you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
If your doctor prescribes a new medication, make sure he or she knows about all the other medications you're taking — especially if you receive prescriptions from more than one doctor.
If you and your doctor decide the benefits of combining certain serotonin-level-affecting drugs outweigh the risks, be alert to the possibility of serotonin syndrome. Reference: Mayo