What Are the Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome?

Discussion Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a clinical diagnosis and problem which can be seen in patients of all ages. Classically SS presents with changing mental status, autonomic dysfunction and neuromuscular excitability. It is caused by increased serotonin levels because of therapeutically increasing the dose of a medication already being taken, adding an additional serotoninergic medication or one that potentiates serotonin, overlapping transition when changing medications, or intentional or unintentional overdose. It has become more common especially as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been used more along with other mental and behavior health medication. Risk of SS is more common in middle aged and older people, but anyone starting or changing medications could have it occur. Drugs associated with SS include: Increase the amount of serotonin precursor or agonists – fentanyl, lithium, tryptophan, LSD Increase serotonin release – amphetamines, anorectics, cocaine, Ecstasy Decrease serotonin breakdown – monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), antibiotics of linezolid, tedizolid, and others such as methylene blue Decrease serotonin reuptake – SSRIs, opioids, antiemetics and antiepileptics Inhibitors of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 – anti-infectives – ciprofloxacin, erythromycin fluconazole, ritonavir Diagnosis is clinical but two different criteria can help with the diagnosis. Hunter criteria – “The patient must have tak...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news