Onset of Transient Sadness Following the Concomitant Use of a Triptan and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor/Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors Therapy: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Migraine and depression have a bi-directional, positive association. The likelihood of these conditions being comorbidities is high, thus, the possibility of concomitant use of an antidepressant and a triptan is also increased. Case Presentation: We present a case of a 39-year-old female with a history of migraine with aura and depression who had brief episodes of exacerbated depressive symptoms following oral administration of sumatriptan 100 mg daily as needed while taking various selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medications on different occasions. The patient experienced 30-minute episodes of sweating and subjective increase in temperature approximately 2–3 hours after administration of sumatriptan 100 mg. This was followed by a transient exacerbation of sadness described by the patient as unhappiness, hopelessness, and tearfulness, which lasted 1 to 2 hours. To date, there are no other published case reports that have described this particular presentation. Several studies have reported possible serotonin syndrome as a result of the combination. Current evidence and known pharmacological actions of SSRIs/SNRIs and triptans are not well-defined enough to explain how one can experience episodic worsening depression. Conclusion: This case illustrates that clinicians should consider other potential adverse effects of the combined use of triptans and SSRIs/SNRIs beyond serotonin syndrome.