Serotonin syndrome: Risk with concurrent use of SSRIs and other serotonergic meds

Abstract

M depressive disorder affects 14.8 million Americans, with another 3.3 million having mild depression.1 Both conditions are commonly treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other medications that affect serotonin, such as serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Other commonly prescribed medications that affect serotonin include the triptans and tramadol. A rare adverse effect of taking one or multiple serotonin-modulating agents is serotonin syndrome, which ranges from mild to life-threatening symptoms of agitation, restlessness, muscle rigidity, and autonomic hyperactivity.2