seratonin syndrome

Hi Allen: I am not a physician, but am very familiar with this type of problem. Serotonin syndrome most commonly occurs when two or more serotonergic (or serotonin stimulating) drugs are used in combination.  

It is a potentially life-threatening adverse drug reaction that may occur following therapeutic drug use, inadvertent interactions between drugs, or the recreational use of certain drugs. It is not something that comes on slowly. If you are taking medications that influence your serotonin levels, such as SSRI's (and drugs and medications that interact with your serotonin levels) then you would know by now if you had it, because you would probably be in the hospital.

It is most commonly named serotonin syndrome, but it is also labeled serotonin poisoning or serotonin toxicity. I have even heard it called a serotonin storm. It is not an allergic reaction, but is due to too much serotonin in the nervous system.

Symptoms range from very mild to fatal.  It is usually a rapid onset that can include a wide range of symtoms. Racing heart, tremors or twitching, hypertension (high blood pressure), rapid increase in body temperature, can go as high as 104 degrees, but can go even higher, to 106 degrees F which is reaching a fatal temperature.

Fatal cases are very rare, but very mild symtoms can be experienced when switching to a new SSRI-type medication and they don't last very long. The symtoms, whether severe or mild will usually go away within 24 hours after stopping the medication.

This is one reason that many physicians recommend starting at an extremely low dose, breaking it in half and seeing if you can tolerate the side effects until you get used to the medication.

In any case, if you think you have this problem, or know someone who does, call your physician immediately.

I hope this helps,

Dr. Diana Walcutt

The Stress Masters

*Dr. Walcutt is a Psychologist, not a Psychiatrist. Psychiatrists prescribe medications. Psychologists study them, but the majority of Psychologists are not authorized to prescribe meds or give you specific advice about them. Dr. Walcutt's answers are not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only, and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own Psychiatrist/Physician.