What is Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is caused by having too much serotonin in your body

Serotonin is a chemical in your body (neurotransmitter) that helps to control several functions, such as:

• Brain and nerve cell function.
• Mood and emotions.
• Memory.
• Eating.
• Sleeping.
• Sexual activity.
• Stress response.

can cause . This condition can be harmful to your brain and nerve cells. This can be a life-threatening condition.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by taking medicines or drugs that increase the level of serotonin in your body, such as:

• Antidepressant medicines.
• Migraine medicines.
• Certain pain medicines.
• Certain drugs, including ecstasy, LSD, cocaine, and amphetamines.
• Over-the-counter cough or cold medicines that contain dextromethorphan.
• Certain herbal supplements, including St. John’s wort, ginseng, and nutmeg.

This condition usually occurs when you take these medicines or drugs in combination, but it can also happen with a high dose of a single medicine or drug.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop this condition if:

• You just started taking a medicine or drug that increases the level of serotonin in the body.
• You recently increased the dose of a medicine or drug that increases the level of serotonin in the body.
• You take more than one medicine or drug that increases the level of serotonin in the body.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition usually start within several hours of taking a medicine or drug. Symptoms may be mild or severe. Mild symptoms include:

• Sweating.
• Restlessness or agitation.
• Muscle twitching or stiffness.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Headache.
• Shivering or goose bumps.
• Confusion.

Severe symptoms include:

• Irregular heartbeat.
• Seizures.
• Loss of consciousness.
• High fever.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your medical history. 
• A physical exam.
• Your prior use of drugs and medicines.
• Blood or urine tests. These may be used to rule out other causes of your symptoms.

How is this treated?

The treatment for this condition depends on the severity of your symptoms.

• For mild cases, stopping the medicine or drug that caused your condition is usually all that is needed.
• For moderate to severe cases, treatment in a hospital may be needed to prevent or manage life-threatening symptoms. This may include medicines to control your symptoms, IV fluids, interventions to support your breathing, and treatments to control your body temperature.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. This is important.
• Check with your health care provider before you start taking any new prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, herbs, or supplements.
• Avoid combining any medicines that can cause this condition to occur.

Lifestyle

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  • Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean protein. Do not eat a lot of foods that are high in fat, added sugars, or salt.
  • Get the right amount and quality of sleep. Most adults need 7–9 hours of sleep each night.
  • Make time to exercise, even if it is only for short periods of time. Most adults should exercise for at least 150 minutes each week.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Do not use illegal drugs, and do not take medicines for reasons other than they are prescribed.

General instructions

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms do not improve or they get worse.

Get help right away if you:

• Have worsening confusion, severe headache, chest pain, high fever, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
• Experience serious side effects of medicine, such as swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Have serious thoughts about hurting yourself or others.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

You can go to your nearest emergency department or call:

• Your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).
• ·A suicide crisis helpline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. This is open 24 hours a day.

Summary

• Serotonin is a brain chemical that helps to regulate the nervous system. High levels of serotonin in the body can cause serotonin syndrome, which is a very dangerous condition.
• This condition may be caused by taking medicines or drugs that increase the level of serotonin in your body.
• Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms. For mild cases, stopping the medicine or drug that caused your condition is usually all that is needed.
• Check with your health care provider before you start taking any new prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, herbs, or supplements.