Medications are supposed to help alleviate symptoms of illness, when we get sick, it is usual for doctors to recommend appropriate medications that will make the illness disappear, however not all medications are safe for consumption for every body type. Hence, the need to avoid self-medication as much as possible, it is advisable to visit a medical expert any time we feel ill, as a proper check-up will help them identify the type of drugs that our body can function well with.
There are times when even medical experts will recommend certain medications to us without the consciousness of how they can affect us, the moment we begin to feel strange reactions after the intake of a new drug or after we increase the dosage of a certain medication, it is advisable to visit a medical expert instantly. One of the side effects that medication intake can cause to the body is, Serotonin Syndrome.
Serotonin syndrome is also known as serotonin toxicity, a potentially life-threatening condition linked with increased serotonergic activity in the central nervous system. Serotonin syndrome can be seen in all age groups, either newborn or old. It is a serious reaction of drugs caused as a result of medications responsible for the building up of high levels of serotonin in the body.
What is serotonin: It is a chemical that the body produces in a natural manner, this chemical is extremely needed for the appropriate function of the brain and the nerve cells. However, excessive serotonin in the body brings about signs and symptoms, ranging from mild diarrhea and shivering to serious fever, seizures, muscle rigidity, and even fever, if left untreated for a long time, it could lead to death.
This syndrome consists of a combination of mental status changes, neuromuscular hyperactivity, and autonomic hyperactivity. Serotonin syndrome can occur via the therapeutic use of serotonergic drugs alone, an intentional overdose of serotonergic drugs, or classically, as a result of a complex drug interaction between two serotonergic drugs that work by different mechanisms. A multitude of drug combinations can result in serotonin syndrome. Ref
An increase in serotonin level is what will cause an increase in serotonin syndrome as described above, serotonin increase in the body can happen if;
An individual takes too much of one serotonin-related medication, it can happen either accidentally or taken on purpose.
There is an intake of one medication that affects the levels of serotonin.
The use of illegal drugs, herbal products, or even over-the-counter medications affects the level of serotonin.
Certain antidepressants, often cause serotonin syndrome, and there is a higher risk of having increased serotonin levels if you take two or more drugs/supplements affecting serotonin levels. Antidepressants are commonly used medications, these medications affect serotonin syndrome, and they are often used with other types of serotonergic drugs, used for treating other conditions.
The most common class of antidepressants is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which function by raising the level of serotonin. Examples of those drugs include;
The symptoms of serotonin syndrome usually begin hours after there is an intake of a medication that affects the levels of serotonin in the body or after the dose of a current drug is taken, the symptoms of serotonin syndrome are; confusion, headache, restlessness, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, tremor, twitching muscles, heavy sweating, goosebumps, shivering, and dilated pupils.
Contact medical emergency, the moment you have these symptoms; seizures, irregular heartbeat, fainting, and even high fever.
A single test cannot help a doctor identify the presence of serotonin syndrome, instead, the doctor will ask about your medical history which will include the intake of medications, supplements, and even recreational medications. A physical examination is also carried out, and a lab test is used to rule out other health conditions that may have an appearance of serotonin syndrome, some conditions that may have the appearance of serotonin syndrome are; sepsis, heart stroke, tetanus, sepsis, and encephalitis.
When a case of serotonin syndrome is diagnosed, patients may need to remain in the hospital in order for a doctor to treat the symptoms and monitor the process of recovery. Doctors will take out the drug that causes serotonin syndrome after the medication has been altered, the patient may begin to feel better within a day or two, although, in some cases, certain drugs may require a longer time to leave the system, sometimes, fluids may need to be gotten into the vein through IV or intravenous.
Managing serotonin syndrome requires some processes;
There are five major principles that are central to the management of serotonin syndrome;
The application of these principles varies greatly based on how severe the illness is, in certain mild cases, the discontinuation of the drugs causing serotonin syndrome, the use of supportive care, and sedation with benzodiazepines are just enough for treatment.
Supportive care is a therapeutic treatment option for serotonin syndrome, the procedure includes the administration of oxygen and intravenous (IV) fluids, consistent cardiac monitoring as well as the correction of vital signs.
Drug intake in a rather excessive manner or taking drugs that have a high level of serotonin could result in serotonin syndrome, these symptoms could result in serious damage to the health, unconsciousness, and even death. It is necessary to always check with a doctor before taking any medication of any sort at all, as taking more than a single serotonin-related medication at a time or increasing the dose of a serotonin-related medication can lead to serotonin syndrome.
