Serotonin syndrome

Definition

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive accumulation of serotonin in the central nervous system. It often results from interactions or overdoses of serotonergic drugs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Symptoms include agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, loss of muscle coordination, and heavy sweating.
2. Commonly implicated drugs include SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine), SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine), MAOIs (e.g., phenelzine), and certain recreational drugs like MDMA.
3. Diagnosis is primarily clinical and based on the patient's history and presenting symptoms; there are no specific lab tests to confirm serotonin syndrome.
4. Treatment involves discontinuing the offending drug, providing supportive care, and sometimes administering medications like benzodiazepines or serotonin antagonists such as cyproheptadine.
5. Prevention includes careful monitoring when starting or increasing doses of serotonergic medications and avoiding combinations of drugs that increase serotonin levels.

Review Questions

• What are the primary symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome?
• Which types of medications are most commonly linked to causing serotonin syndrome?
• How is serotonin syndrome typically treated in a clinical setting?

Related terms

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): A class of drugs used as antidepressants that work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): A class of antidepressants that inhibit the activity of monoamine oxidase, preventing the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters.

Cyproheptadine: An antihistamine with anti-serotonergic properties used to treat symptoms of serotonin syndrome.