Don't stop taking any such medications on your own. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Serotonin syndrome occurs when you take medications that cause high levels of the chemical serotonin to accumulate in your body.Serotonin syndrome can occur when you increase the dose of such a drug or add a new drug to your regimen. COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. But too much serotonin causes signs and symptoms that can range from mild (shivering and diarrhea) to severe (muscle rigidity, fever and seizures). Epub 2013 Apr 2.Ann Pharmacother. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! This site needs JavaScript to work properly. It may also occur if you take an antidepressant with an opioid pain medication.Another cause of serotonin syndrome is intentional overdose of antidepressant medications.A number of over-the-counter and prescription drugs may be associated with serotonin syndrome, especially antidepressants. 2005 May;39(5):956-61. doi: 10.1345/aph.1E523. 2019 Mar 11;9:2045125318818814. doi: 10.1177/2045125318818814. Serotonin plays a role in regulating your digestive process, blood flow and breathing.Although it's possible that taking just one drug that increases serotonin levels can cause serotonin syndrome in susceptible individuals, this condition occurs most often when you combine certain medications.For example, serotonin syndrome may occur if you take an antidepressant with a migraine medication. Epub 2005 Apr 12.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. Illicit drugs and dietary supplements also may be associated with the condition.The drugs and supplements that could potentially cause serotonin syndrome include:Some people are more susceptible to the drugs and supplements that cause serotonin syndrome than are others, but the condition can occur in anyone.Serotonin syndrome generally doesn't cause any problems once serotonin levels are back to normal.If left untreated, severe serotonin syndrome can lead to unconsciousness and death.Taking more than one serotonin-related medication or increasing your dose of a serotonin-related medication increases your risk of serotonin syndrome.Be sure to talk to your doctor if you or a family member has experienced symptoms after taking a medication.Also talk to your doctor about possible risks. Severe serotonin syndrome can cause death if not treated.Serotonin syndrome can occur when you increase the dose of certain medications or add a new drug to your regimen. 2016 Jan-Feb;48(1):91-2. doi: 10.4103/0253-7613.174573.J Rehabil Med. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. It is a rare and potentially fatal complication of drugs that affect the central nervous system serotonin levels. Wiley It is characterised by a triad of clinical features comprising altered sensorium, autonomic instability and neuromuscular hyperexcitability, in different combinations.
Some illegal drugs and dietary supplements also are associated with serotonin syndrome.Milder forms of serotonin syndrome may go away within a day of stopping the medications that cause symptoms and, sometimes, after taking drugs that block serotonin.Serotonin syndrome symptoms usually occur within several hours of taking a new drug or increasing the dose of a drug you're already taking.Severe serotonin syndrome can be life-threatening. If your doctor prescribes a new medication, make sure he or she knows about all the other medications you're taking, especially if you receive prescriptions from more than one doctor.If you and your doctor decide the benefits of combining certain serotonin-level-affecting drugs outweigh the risks, be alert to the possibility of serotonin syndrome.Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Serotonin syndrome occurs when you take medications that cause high levels of the chemical serotonin to accumulate in your body.Serotonin is a chemical your body produces that's needed for your nerve cells and brain to function. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. Serotonin syndrome is a clinical diagnosis meaning there is no objective lab, test, or singular symptom that can be used to establish its presence Serotonin syndrome can range from mild to severe.