Serotonin is a chemical made by the body that enables communication between cells in the brain and the nervous system. It has been observed that when there is a decrease in serotonin levels in the brain, there is a greater chance of suffering from depression. However, when there is an excess of this chemical, it can lead to hyperactivity of the nerve cells, causing a whole series of physical and mental alterations known as serotonin syndrome and that, in extreme cases, can even lead to death.
For many years now, antidepressants that inhibit serotonin reuptake have been a common treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even bulimia nervosa..
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Symptoms of serotonin syndrome often begin within hours after taking a new drug or substance that affects serotonin levels or after excessively increasing the dose of one you are already taking..
It is manifested mainly by mental disorders, neuromuscular disorders and autonomic hyperactivity.
In severe cases, serotonin syndrome can be fatal. If you experience any of these symptoms, or someone who meets you, you should seek medical attention immediately:
Serotonin syndrome can occur if you are taking medications, particularly antidepressants, that affect the level of serotonin in the body. The increased risk of serotonin syndrome occurs if you are using two or more medications and / or supplements together that influence serotonin.
The most commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs, which work by increasing serotonin, are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include the following active ingredients (the trade name can be variable, depending on the pharmaceutical company): citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine and sertraline..
Medications, either prescription or over-the-counter, that can raise serotonin levels alone or in combination to cause serotonin syndrome include the following (we also list only active ingredients):
Some illegal drugs like LSD, ecstasy, amphetamines, and cocaine, as well as some dietary supplements like St. John's wort, Ginseng, and nutmeg, can also lead to serotonin syndrome when combined with antidepressants that affect serotonin..
Drug manufacturers should list these potential side effects on their warning labels so patients are aware of the potential risk of serotonin syndrome.
In milder forms of serotonin syndrome, symptoms usually disappear within a day after stopping the drugs or substances that caused the disorder.
People with severe serotonin syndrome should be hospitalized immediately for proper treatment and control of symptoms. Benzodiazepines can be given to treat agitation, seizures, and muscle stiffness. The patient is also hydrated with intravenous fluids to stabilize him. They can suffer severe hyperthermia, so fever must be controlled, and respiratory failure and rhabdomyolysis may also appear.
A drug called Periactin (cyproheptadine), a specific antagonist with activity on smooth muscle and with anticholinergic and antiserotonergic properties, is administered to reverse the antidepressant effects, since it blocks the vast majority of serotonergic receptors..
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