Topic Title: becareful if you take another med
| |  "becareful if you take another med"
, Fri 17 Aug 22:56
Ok, as i stated here maybe a month ago, I started using SJW. It didn't seem to do much for me, so I started using zoloft, immediately. IT was a BIG mistake!
I had assumed that it was ok because I didn't feel much affect from the SJW i took zoloft the next day and then I had seratonin syndrome, which is, believe me, very scary.
So if you are on SJW or on another anti-depressant. Please give it about 2 weeks of no meds before making a switch, as it can be fatal
just wanted to warn u guys, i wish i had known before.
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Tue 17 Jul 2001 21:43 |
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| | "Re(1):becareful if you take another med" , Sat 25 Aug 06:56
Katabatic.
What is "seratonin syndrome"?
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Sat 25 Aug 2001 6:55 |
| | | "Re(2):becareful if you take another med" , Sat 25 Aug 21:20
SEROTONIN SYNDROME
Serotonin Syndrome is an increasingly recognised clinical condition characterised by a triad of motor, mental status and autonomic changes. It is caused by an excess of serotonin in the CNS. It usually results from a drug combination but may occur after an increase in the dose of one drug. It has a latency of hours to days therefore there may be a delay in the onset of signs and symptoms. There is also some evidence of genetic susceptibility, i.e. a variation in serotonin metabolism. There is a long residual effect on the enzyme systems, for example it may take 2 weeks for MAOIs and 5 weeks for Fluoxetine to “wash out” of these systems after dosing stops.
95% of Serotonin is peripheral to the CNS (central nervous system). It is released at synapses and metabolised by the enzyme MAO (monoamine oxidase) or removed from the synapse through cellular uptake by the neurons. It interacts with the dopaminergic system.
The features of Serotonin Syndrome were summarised by Sternbach (1991) and can be remembered using the mnemonic CAM (CNS, Autonomic and Motor signs and symptoms). Diagnostic criteria requires the presence of 3 of the following, out of a possible
10.
CNS
Agitation, restlessness
Drowsiness or confusion; hallucinations.
Autonomic:
Shivering
Diaphoresis
Diarrhoea
Fever
Motor:
Hyper-reflexia
Myoclonus
Inco-ordination, cerebellar dysfunction Tremor
Patients with Serotonin Syndrome are at risk of seizures, arrhythmias, hypertension, vomiting, abdominal pain, bronchospasm, hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, DIC and ARF.
Fatalities have been reported.
Serotonin Syndrome usually results from a combination of SSRIs with specific other drugs.
These other drugs may include the following:
Antidepressants: SSRI, TCADs (especially clomipramine, amitriptyline), MAOIs (non-selective or RIMA), Lithium, Trazodone, Buspirone Analgesics: Pethidine, Pentazocine (Fortral), Tramadol
Antiparkinsonian agents: L-Dopa, Bromocriptine
Others: Dextromethorphan (OTC antitussive), Ecstasy (MDMA), L-tryptophan (dietary)
The differential diagnosis may include drug-induced dystonia, drug withdrawal, infection and NMS (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome).
Serotonin syndrome usually resolves within 24-48 hrs. The treatment is usually symptomatic and supportive and may include Benzodiazepines. In severe cases of hypertonia, neuromuscular paralysis may be required. Antiserotonergic medications may
be useful but are not consistently used. These may include chlorpromazine, methysergide, cyproheptadine and propanolol.
References
Sternbach, H. (1991). The serotonin syndrome. American Journal of Psychiatry, 148,
705-713.
Williams, A. (1997). The serotonin syndrome. Emergency Medicine, 9, 1999-206.
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Sun 27 May 2001 2:14 |
| | | "Re(3):becareful if you take another med" , Sat 25 Aug 21:24
Forgot to add that I got this information from this website:
http://www.emergencynurse.co.nz/seratonin.htm
Posts: 2 | | Registered: Sun 27 May 2001 2:14 |
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