Serotonin syndrome and its symptoms
Serotonin syndrome is a condition that appears when the levels of serotonin (5HT) in the body are raised and maintained in very high concentrations. In other words, serotonin syndrome is actually a serotonin poisoning.
The serotonin syndrome does not appear through natural processes, it appears do to the use of drugs that were developed mainly to raise the levels of serotonin, or because of a mixture of these types of drugs. Drugs like: L-tryptophan, MAOIs, SSRIs and others.
In most cases when too much serotonin (5HT) is stored in the body of a individual, specific signs and symptoms starts to appear.
Serotonin Syndrome Symptoms
The serotonin syndrome symptoms and signs are categorized in 3 main types:
1. Cognitive-Behavioral
2. Neuromuscular
3. Autonomic Nervous System
1. The symptoms of Cognitive-Behavioral category are:
- anxiety
- disorientation
- agitation
- seizures
- hallucinations
- irritability
2. The symptoms of Neuromuscular category are:
- muscle rigidity
- myoclonus
- tremor
- hyperreflexia
- incoordination
- shivering
3. The symptoms of Autonomic Nervous System category are:
- hypertension
- dilated pupils
- sinus tachycardia
- hyperthermia
- diaphoresis
- diarrhea
In cases of severe serotonin syndrome you will notice symptoms like high fever, seizures, unconsciousness and irregular heartbeats. Serotonin syndrome in severe forms can bring even death to a person. In milder cases of serotonin syndrome for immediate treatment are used serotonin antagonist drugs or they will stop the medication that impacts the serotonin levels.
Normally after the medication that increased the levels of serotonin is discontinued, the serotonin syndrome disappears.
If you start feeling the above symptoms, especially because you got a higher dose of a drug (that your doctor prescribed to maintain your serotonin levels) or because you decided to try a new drug about which you didn’t knew too much, I recommend you to contact a doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital for detailed investigations.