Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Treating Serotonin Syndrome
• Method 2 of 3: Identifying Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome
• Method 3 of 3: What is Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin is a natural substance that is produced in the human body. It is a neurotransmitter, that is, it transmits signals from nerve cells (neurons) of the brain to other tissues of the body. This substance is found mainly in the digestive system, brain and platelets. Serotonin syndrome (serotonin intoxication) occurs when serotonin levels rise dangerously. In most cases, this syndrome develops while taking certain medications or when they interact. Much less often, serotonin intoxication is caused by the use of certain herbal remedies and nutritional supplements. Common symptoms of serotonin syndrome include agitation, confusion and disorientation, palpitations, chills, excessive sweating, and the like. If you suspect you have serotonin syndrome, learning about treatments for it can help you get rid of your symptoms and stay healthy.

Attention:the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Check with your healthcare professional before using any medication.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Treating Serotonin Syndrome

1. 1 Stop taking medication. If you start taking one or more new medications and then experience mild one or more of the above symptoms, talk to your doctor about stopping the new medications. If you are unable to contact your doctor, stop taking your medications until you talk to your doctor. With a mild form of serotonin syndrome, symptoms usually resolve within 1-3 days.
   • You should contact your doctor and tell him that you have stopped taking medication. Your doctor may prescribe other medications for you.
   • You can only stop taking medication yourself if you have been taking it for a few weeks.
2. 2 Contact your doctor if you have been taking medication for a long time. If you have been taking medications for more than a few weeks, you should consult your doctor before stopping them. Many antidepressants and other drugs that can lead to serotonin syndrome can cause serious side effects if you stop taking them abruptly.
   • You should discuss other options with your doctor to know how best to take the medications you need.
3. 3 Take anti-serotonin medications. If symptoms persist within a few days, it means that you have been taking medications that have caused long-term serotonin syndrome, or you have a serious form of the disorder (very high blood pressure, altered mental status, etc.), in which case immediate medical attention is needed ... It is possible that antiserotonin drugs may be required. The doctor will be able to prescribe the appropriate drugs for you.
   • With timely and adequate treatment, the symptoms of serotonin syndrome usually resolve within 24 hours.
   • Your doctor may monitor your symptoms to make sure your condition is improving.
   • Anti-serotonin drugs include cyproheptadine.
4. 4 In the event of severe symptoms, seek emergency medical attention. If you start taking new medications and experience any of the following serious symptoms, stop taking your medications immediately and call an emergency room. Severe symptoms may indicate a life-threatening condition. In this case, the symptoms can worsen rapidly.
   • Serious symptoms include high fever, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and loss of consciousness.
   • Severe symptoms may require hospitalization. You may be prescribed medications to help block the effects of serotonin, relax your muscles, and control your heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, oxygen therapy or intravenous injections may be given along with other breathing measures.
5. 5 Take additional tests. No laboratory test can detect serotonin syndrome. Typically, this syndrome is diagnosed based on the symptoms and medications you are taking. However, other possible causes should be excluded, such as discontinuation of the drug, malignant hyperthermia, overdose, and the like.
   • To rule out other possible causes, your doctor may order additional tests and tests.

Method 2 of 3: Identifying Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome

1. 1 Watch for symptoms of arousal. Serotonin syndrome is characterized by overexcitation of the nervous system, which can be detected by certain symptoms. You may feel agitated, anxious, and irritable. This is evidenced by palpitations and palpitations. You may have dilated pupils and high blood pressure.
2. 2 Pay attention to confusion and poor coordination. Confusion and disorientation in space is another common symptom of serotonin syndrome. In addition, the syndrome can be accompanied by pronounced clumsiness. Potentially impaired muscle coordination, difficulty walking, driving a car, and doing daily activities.
   • You may experience excessive stiffness as well as muscle twitching and twitching.
3. 3 Take a closer look at other changes in the work of the body. Serotonin syndrome can be accompanied by excessive sweating. Sometimes, instead of sweating, tremors and goosebumps are observed all over the body.
   • You may also experience diarrhea or headaches.
4. 4 Watch for severe symptoms. Some of the signs in serotonin syndrome indicate a serious body reaction.These symptoms are life-threatening and should you go to an emergency room immediately if they appear. These are the following symptoms:
   • heat;
   • convulsions;
   • irregular heartbeat;
   • loss of consciousness;
   • high blood pressure;
   • change in mental state.
5. 5 Note that symptoms can occur within a few hours. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome usually appear within hours of taking medications (prescription or over-the-counter) or herbal remedies. Quite often, these symptoms are observed with the simultaneous administration of several drugs.
   • In most cases, serotonin syndrome develops within 6-24 hours after changing the dose or starting a new drug.
   • Serotonin syndrome can be serious and life-threatening, so if you are taking any of the drugs listed below, or if you start taking a new medication and experience one or more of these symptoms, call your doctor, call an ambulance, or go to the nearest location right away. emergency medical care.

Method 3 of 3: What is Serotonin Syndrome

1. 1 Learn about the causes of serotonin syndrome. Any drug or substance that increases or slows down the breakdown of serotonin in the body can lead to dangerously high levels of serotonin and cause serotonin syndrome (serotonin intoxication). There are many such drugs, mainly antidepressants. The risk increases in the event of an accidental or deliberate overdose. Most often, serotonin syndrome occurs with the simultaneous administration of various types of drugs. Serotonin syndrome can develop while taking the following drugs:
   • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): these are antidepressants such as citalopram (Cipramil), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft);
   • inhibitors of norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake: these antidepressants are similar to SSRIs and include trazodone, duloxetine (Simbalta), venlafaxine (Velaxin);
   • monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): phenelzine ("Nardil") belongs to this group of antidepressants;
   • other antidepressants: this group includes tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline (Pamelor);
   • migraine remedies: triptans (sumatriptan, eletriptan, zolmitriptan), carbamazepine (Tegretol), valproic acid (Depakin);
   • pain relievers such as cyclobenzaprine (Amrix), fentanyl (Durogesic, Matrifen), trimeperidine (Promedol), tramadol (Tramal);
   • normotimics (mood stabilizers): the main drug in this group is lithium carbonate (lithium carbonate);
   • remedies for nausea: this group includes granisetron (Avomit), metoclopramide (Cerucal), droperidol, ondansetron (Zofran, Domegan);
   • antibiotics and antiviral drugs: this group includes Linezolid (Amizolid, Zyvox), which is an antibiotic, and Ritonavir (an antiretroviral drug used to treat HIV infection);
   • OTC cough and cold medications that contain dextromethorphan: This group includes Grippostad Good Night, Influnet, Padevix, and some other over-the-counter medications
   • recreational drugs: LSD, ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamines;
   • herbal remedies such as St. John's wort, ginseng, nutmeg.
2. 2 Prevent Serotonin Syndrome. To avoid serotonin syndrome, always tell your doctor about any medications, herbal remedies, and supplements you are taking. For example, St. John's wort can interact with medications. Various medications can interact with each other. If you do not tell your doctor about all the drugs you are taking, problems may arise.
   • For example, if your doctor doesn't know you are taking lithium carbonate prescribed by another doctor and prescribes SSRIs for you, it will increase your risk of serotonin syndrome.
   • Observe the dosage. Do not try to change the dosage yourself or exceed the dosage recommended by your doctor.
3. 3 Learn about risk factors. The risk of serotonin syndrome is increased if you are taking several drugs of the type that can cause serotonin intoxication. This syndrome often occurs as a result of increasing the dose or starting a new drug. If you are taking several different drugs from the groups listed above, watch your symptoms closely, especially if you have just started taking a new drug.
   • Serotonin syndrome is dangerous and can be fatal, especially in young or old people, and in heart disease.