The Mayo Clinic reports that serotonin is a chemical produced in the brain that is needed for brain function and the creation of healthy nerve cells. Serotonin syndrome is caused when there is an overproduction of serotonin by the brain. Serotonin syndrome is a rare condition but can be life threatening if left untreated.
Causes
According to the National Institute of Health, serotonin syndrome is usually caused when a person takes two or more drugs that affect serotonin levels in the brain. For example, migraine medications called triptans and many antidepressants both work by affecting serotonin levels. If used in combination, they may increase serotonin enough to trigger serotonin syndrome.
Symptoms
Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include extreme restlessness or agitation without reason, confusion, inability to focus on tasks, hallucinations, loss of coordination, rapid heartbeat, fever, twitching, sweating, seizures and loss of consciousness.
Risk Factors
Some people are at a greater risk for serotonin syndrome. If a person has recently started taking or has increased their dosage of a drug that affects serotonin levels they have a greater risk of triggering the syndrome. Also, there is an increased risk for those taking two or more drugs or herbal supplements that affect serotonin levels. In some instances, Illegal drug use has also been known to increase serotonin levels enough to cause serotonin syndrome.
Diagnosis
According to the Mayo Clinic, no one test can determine a diagnosis of serotonin syndrome. A physician will take a complete history, including medications. They may test thyroid function and check levels of any drugs the patient is taking. There are many other illnesses that may present like serotonin syndrome, such as anticholinergic syndrome, malignant hyperthermia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. It is also possible for illegal drug overdoses to present as serotonin syndrome.
Treatment
Severe serotonin syndrome requires hospitalization. Treatment may include muscle relaxants to treat agitation, seizures and loss of muscle control. Fluids are given intravenously to treat dehydration and fever and oxygen is given to help maintain proper saturation in the blood. Drugs may be given to control heart rate and blood pressure.
Recovery
The Mayo Clinic reports the outlook for patients with serotonin syndrome is good. Symptoms usually go away within 24 hours of discontinuing medications. It is possible, however, for symptoms caused by certain antidepressants to take several weeks to fully clear the body.
