The following features are indicative of Serotonin Syndrome:
agitation
restlessness
confusion
rapid heart rate
high blood pressure
dilated pupils
loss of muscle coordination
twitching muscles
muscle rigidity
heavy sweating
diarrhoea
headache
shivering
goosebumps
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Common Causes of Serotonin Syndrome
The following are the most common causes of Serotonin Syndrome:
excessive accumulation of serotonin in body
overdose of antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
use of amphetamines
use of pethidine (meperidine)
use of tramadol
use of dextromethorphan
use of ondansetron
intake of cocaine
Risk Factors for Serotonin Syndrome
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Serotonin Syndrome:
take more than one drug known to increase serotonin levels
take herbal supplements known to increase serotonin levels
use an illicit drug known to increase serotonin levels
Prevention of Serotonin Syndrome
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Serotonin Syndrome. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
control of agitation
the control of autonomic instability
control of hyperthermia
avoid excess use of antidepressant drugs
Occurrence of Serotonin Syndrome
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Serotonin Syndrome cases seen each year worldwide:
Not common between 50K - 500K cases
Common Age Group
Serotonin Syndrome can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Serotonin Syndrome can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Serotonin Syndrome
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Serotonin Syndrome:
Chest X-ray: To rule out other causes of symptoms
Computed Tomography scan of the brain: To get the images of brain
Blood test: To check trauma, new-onset seizures, or hypertension and localizing neurologic findings
Urine test: To rule out other causes of symptoms
Complications of Serotonin Syndrome if untreated
Yes, Serotonin Syndrome causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Serotonin Syndrome is left untreated:
unconsciousness
can be fatal
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Serotonin Syndrome
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Serotonin Syndrome:
Supportive care: Helps in relieving the symptoms and improves the quality of life
Time for Treatment of Serotonin Syndrome
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Serotonin Syndrome to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
Within 1 day
Last updated date
This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Serotonin Syndrome.
