Serotonin syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a condition caused by an excess of serotonin in the brain. The effects of serotonin syndrome may progress from headaches, dizziness, euphoria, abnormal movements of the foot and ankle, hyperreflexia, and vomiting, to coma and death. Rarer effects include rapid changes of mood, from severe depression to the point of being suicidal, to manic phases characterized by violence towards others and destruction. Since serotonin's action is increased by anti-depressants such as Prozac, Luvox, and Paxil, the signs are often mistaken for extreme Bipolar Disorder, prompting an increase in dosage.

Related Topics:
Serotonin - Brain - Syndrome - Headache - Dizziness - Euphoria - Hyperreflexia - Vomiting - Coma - Death - Prozac - Luvox - Paxil

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Symptoms affect three major nervous systems:

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• autonomic nervous system: increased body temperature, sweating, hypertension, increased heart rate, nausea, diarrhoea;
• somatic nervous system and muscles: muscle twitching, alternating contraction and relaxation (e.g. jaw, giving rise to teeth chattering), hyperreflexia, rigidity, tremor;
• cognitive functioning of the brain: confusion, agitation, headache, coma.

Serotonin syndrome is generally caused by interactions between serotonergic drugs, for example by concurrent use of MAOIs and SSRIs, and also from combining SSRIs and DXM. It is also caused by an overdose of SSRIs.

Related Topics:
Interactions - MAOIs - SSRIs - DXM

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See also: Ecstasy, Dextromethorphan, Tramadol

Related Topics:
Ecstasy - Dextromethorphan - Tramadol

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