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Re: Serotonin Syndrome Reaction

Posted by Karen44 on June 11, 2006, at 13:40:31

In reply to Re: Serotonin Syndrome Reaction, posted by SLS on June 11, 2006, at 8:26:39

> > Could someone explain what this is, what causes it, and what are the symptoms. Thanks.
>
>
> Serotonin syndrome is a serious and potentially fatal reaction that sometimes occurs when combining drugs that potentiate serotonin neurotransmission. It can even happen with one drug. The greatest risk is probably when combinating a MAOI with a SRI. One must be careful whenever two serotonergic drugs are given simultaneously. Even adding lithium to a SSRI can precipitate an episode.
>
> Having said all of that scary stuff, serotonin syndrome is a very infrequent event when combining drugs except for MAOIs. Most cases are relatively mild.
>
> Probably the most dangerous symptom is hyperpyrexia - a high fever. When body temperature gets too high, organs shut down. Other signs and symptoms include confusion, delerium, agitation, elevated heart-rate and blood pressure, nausea, muscle rigidity and involuntary movements, exaggerated reflexes, extreme restlessness, tremors, incoordination, sweating, and hyperventillation.
>
> Some of the drugs used to treat serotonin syndrome include lorazepam (Ativan), propranolol (Inderal), and cyprohepadine (Periactin).
>
>
> - Scott

Thanks for your response, Scott. My psychiatrist thinks this is what occured with me when the Risperidone was added to the Parnate. I had confusion, slurred speech (not realizing this), would forget what I was saying in the middle of a sentence (not realizing this), mild incoordination, and I suffered from nausea, fluctuating blood pressure, chills and mild fever, involutary movements, stiff muscles and soreness in muscles. I was away from home where no phone service was available including cell phones. I did not know what to do when the confusion got really bad. But since the Risperidone was added to help with sleep at night, I had been taking it only two weeks with increasing symptoms after increasing the dose from .25 to .5 mg in the p.m. I decided to stop the Risperidone, and this brought on almost immediate improvement with the exception of some residual restlessness and involuntary movements that I am told should resolve in another week.

My psychiatrist said he researched this (is at a top University and said he has never heard of this before-- with an MAOI and an antipsychotic but said it is possible since both deal with serotonin levels. Thanks for your input.


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poster:Karen44 thread:655417
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060610/msgs/655519.html