What Causes Serotonin Syndrome?

Like all diseases, doctors work very hard to understand what is happening within the body when a condition like this occurs. The nerve cells throughout the body produce serotonin as normal. The nerves that are at the base of your brain and in the spinal cord produce a very specific type of serotonin which is used to keep your attention steady and to help regulate body temperature and body focus. These chemicals help to monitor and regulate your body's behavior as a whole. The nerves found in your intestines also produce serotonin, which is normally used to keep your breathing steady, to aid blood flow through your body and to promote healthy digestive results.

People who are facing this syndrome are facing an increase in the amount of serotonin produced in their body by these nerves. This increase is usually caused by taking the wrong type or too much of a medication that is known to cause fluctuations in the body's serotonin level. Often times, people will see this happen because of the combination of drugs they are talking. The most common mixture is that of too many selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications, often referred to as SSRI medications. When these are consumed along with other medications, such as triptans, which are used to control migraines, this can lead to the dangerous jump in the body's serotonin levels. This jump is what causes the symptoms you have.

You do not have to have a combination of medications in your body to be affected in this way. Some medications can lead to serotonin syndrome on their own, especially if this is the first time you are taking the medication. If you are taking any of the following medications and have the symptoms listed above, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Citalopram sold as Celexa, Sertraline sold as Zoloft, Paroxetine sold as Paxil, Fluoxetine sold as Sarafem or Prozac
Trazdone sold as Desyrel or Venlafaxine sold as Effexor
Buproprion sold as Wellbutrin or Zyban
Meperidine sold as Demerol, Pentazocine sold as Talwin, Fentanyl sold as Sublimaze or Tramadol sold as Ultram (these are all pain medications commonly associated with this illness)

Other medications can also be problematic especially medications that are taking as anti nausea medications, anti migraine medications, or over the counter medication used to treat colds and the flu. Some illegal drugs can also cause this same problem, as can some herbal supplements in some people. In particular, St. John's Wort has been known to cause this as can ginseng

Fixing The Problem

Those who are suffering from serotonin syndrome will find that there is help out there for them. Once you notice that you are facing these symptoms contact your doctor right away. They will give you specific directions for improving the situation. You should not stop taking your medications until your doctor has told you to do so, since many medications are so vital to keeping the body running correctly.

Doctors will often treat you by stopping the medications you are taking, in the proper manner. They will also need to prescribe other medications or different doses to fix the problem. In addition, when you do have a high peak in these serotonin levels, your doctor will want you to spend at least one night in the hospital for observation. This will allow them to insure all medications have been removed from your body and that no serious side effects are taking place.

Usually, doctors want to make sure your vital signs are strong and that if you need a muscle relaxant, it is given to you. If the condition continues and stopping the medication does not help, or the current state is too high or has become life threatening, the doctor will administer serotonin production blocking agents which are used to stop the production of the serotonin in your body.Serotonin syndrome is treatable and even highly treatable in individuals who seek out medical attention. It only takes a few minutes to get yourself to the doctor and to get the help you need.

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Main Menu

Basics