what is serotonin syndrome??

Question

And can you get it from lexapro?

Answer 1

See the following, and yes it can. all SSRI's can potentially cause it.

THE SEROTONIN SYNDROME

"The serotonin syndrome is a hypersotonergic state which is a very dangerous and a potentially fatal side effect of serotonergic enhancing drugs which can have multiple psychiatric and non-psychiatric symptoms. It is a condition which has been on the rise since the 1960's when we began using more and more drugs which directly affect serotonin. This is a toxic condition which requires heightened clinical awareness in order to prevent, recognize, and treat the condition promptly. Promptness is vital because, as we just mentioned, the serotonin syndrome can be fatal and death from this side effect can come very rapidly. This syndrome is a toxic hyperserotonergic state whose rate of incidence is unknown, but is on the rise. The suspected cause of that increase is the introduction of the new selective serotonergic enhancing agents in clinical practice - the SSRIs. This disorder, brought on by excessive levels of serotonin, is difficult to distinguish from the neuroleptic malignant syndrome because the symptoms are so similar. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a serious condition brought on by the use of the neuroleptic drugs.

"The symptoms of the serotonin syndrome are: euphoria, drowsiness, sustained rapid eye movement, overreaction of the reflexes, rapid muscle contraction and relaxation in the ankle causing abnormal movements of the foot, clumsiness, restlessness, feeling drunk and dizzy, muscle contraction and relaxation in the jaw, sweating, intoxication, muscle twitching, rigidity, high body temperature, mental status changes were frequent (including confusion and hypomania - a "happy drunk" state), shivering, diarrhea, loss of consciousness and death. (The Serotonin Syndrome, AM J PSYCHIATRY, June 1991)

"The serotonin syndrome is generally caused by a combination of two or more drugs, one of which is often a selective sertonergic medication. The drugs which we know most frequently contribute to this condition are the combining of MAOIs with Prozac (this should also include the other SSRIs) or other drugs that have a powerful effect upon serotonin, ie, clomipramine (Anafranil), trazadone (Deseryl), etc. The combination of lithium with these selective serotonergic agents has been implicated in enhancing the serotonin syndrome. The tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, MAOIs, SSRIs, ECT (electric shock treatment), tryptophan, and the serotonin agonists (fenfluramine) all enhance serotonin neurotransmission and can contribute to this syndrome. Anything which will raise the level of serotonin can bring on this hyperserotonergic condition. The optimal treatment for the serotonin syndrome is discontinuation of the offending medication or medications, offer supportive measures, and wait for the symptoms to resolve. If the offending medication is discontinued, the condition will often resolve on its own within a 24 hour period. If the medication is not discontinued the condition can progress rapidly to a more serious state and become fatal. It should be apparent that the greater the enhancement of serotonin levels, the greater the chances of producing the serotonin syndrome. Therefore it is recommended that Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Luvox, Serzone, etc. not be used concurrently with each other or any other serotonergic drugs and that these serious adverse reactions should be expected with these combinations (Callahan, 1993).

Answer 2

Serotonin syndrome is described in the literature as a potentially serious drug-related condition characterized by a number of mental, autonomic and neuromuscular changes. Although serotonin syndrome can cause death, the condition is mild in most persons, and with supportive care alone they tend to recover completely.

Serotonin syndrome is most often reported in patients taking two or more medications that increase CNS serotonin levels by different mechanisms. The most common drug combinations associated with serotonin syndrome involve the MAOIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and the tricyclic antidepressants.

Mild to moderately severe cases of serotonin syndrome usually resolve in 24 to 72 hours.1 Though most cases can be treated and resolve within a week, some patients become acutely ill and require hospitalization. In some instances patients have been admitted to the ICU and required mechanical ventilation. Mortality associated with this condition is estimated to be 11%.

Medications Linked with Serotonin Syndrome:

Causative agents associated with serotonin syndrome include those that: increase serotonin synthesis (L-tryptophan); decrease serotonin metabolism (MAOIs); increase serotonin release; inhibit serotonin uptake (SSRIs); and stimulate certain serotonin receptors directly, and provide a nonspecific increase in serotonin activity


Hre is a link to the site, talking about:
Drugs that Affect Serotonin Levels,
Symptoms Associated with Serotonin Syndrome etc.:
http://www.uspharmacist.com/oldformat.asp?url=newlook/files/feat/acf2fa6.htm

Answer 3

Yes.
Serotonin syndrome is a condition in which too much serotonin is floating around in the brain, and it starts to affect the central nervous system. Heartbeat increase, blood pressure shoots up (or sometimes down), severe confusion and delirium follow; muscles can contract like a seizure, and coordination and balance are severely impaired.
It may not be diagnosed quickly because it's similar to other conditions, and quick diagnosis is critical because death can occur from cardiac complications or seizures.
It is a rare but potentially critical side effect of many psychological drugs such as tricyclic antidepressant, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and even cocaine and LSD (shich also affect serotonin).
Talk to your doctor or whoever prescribed the medication, and read the warning labels on the drug when you get it from the pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist- he/she can print you out more information from RELIABLE sources- in other words- from scientific sources, not Joe on the internet!

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin_syndrome