Serotonin syndrome is a clinical condition associated with an adverse reaction to antidepressants, beyond what you can imagine, studies indicate that these cases have increased as a result of an increase in the use of these drugs, it is usually associated with loss of coordination, fever, tachycardia, seizures, shortness of breath . . . In the most severe cases, it can lead to death.
For those who have never heard of this term, it is worth knowing their symptoms, so many people believe that Serotonin Syndrome is solely due to inappropriate use of antidepressants, specifically to abuse of such drugs. It should be mentioned that this adverse reaction of the organism does not always come from this fact, in addition, in most cases, it is not always clear what the cause was.
- Serotonin syndrome is a little-known medical emergency.
- But increases year after year due to increased use of pro-serotonin drugs.
As we already know, each person, each organism reacts differently to a chemical agent and, therefore, to a drug, sometimes the drug accumulates rather than being metabolized gradually producing an excess of stimulation in certain receptors, this pharmacological irregularity can occur in any patient, regardless of age or state of health.
In most cases, Serotonin Syndrome (SS) is usually mild, the effects do not last more than a day and are easily treatable; however, a small proportion of people who are receiving medical treatment with antidepressants experience a more adverse and dangerous reaction.
Antidepressants have a very specific mechanism of action, basically what they do is serotonin reuptake, thanks to them we can have a higher level of this neurotransmitter in our body, and not only in the brain, it is important to remember that Serotonin is mainly produced in our small intestine, so thanks to this chemical the body regulates our mood , appetite, communication between neurons, etc.
On the other hand, it should also be noted that antidepressants are not only given to treat depression, they are also effective for anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, etc.
Currently, the antidepressants most prescribed for their efficacy are the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which are, along with neurological drugs to treat Parkinson’s disease or the most severe headaches, the drugs most associated with the syndrome. serotonergic.
Serotonin syndrome is characterized by the appearance of a symptomatic triad that can be mild or severe: autonomic dysfunction, neuromuscular arousal and altered mental state, effects that become apparent when there is a very high level of Serotonin in our body. Very specific receptor series are stimulated: 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A.
These receptors induce a succession of very broad cellular biochemical effects that gradually lead to a number of specific physical, organic and mental changes and manifestations.
In the most severe cases, this condition can lead to coma, with respiratory complications, muscle stiffness, severe hyperemia and loss of consciousness.
As we indicated at the beginning, the factors that trigger Serotonin Syndrome are not always clear, however, there are some risk factors that need to be taken into account.
When a person arrives at the hospital with obvious symptoms of serotonin syndrome, the first thing to do is determine the severity of the case, which usually disappears in the first 24 hours, the administration of the drug and another possible type of therapy are suspended. It’s analized.
If symptoms are a little more severe the patient is hospitalized, intravenous fluids and constant monitoring to avoid hiccups and hyperthermia are usually the most common procedures, however, if Serotonin toxicity is actually severe, treatment becomes much more complex and will depend on maintaining the patient’s vital signs and ensuring their survival.
However, as we have already indicated, the most common is that the side effects of antidepressants are almost always mild, they are specific warnings, reactions of our body to warn us of the need to reduce the dose or try another drug. watch for symptoms and do not hesitate to consult professionals in case of doubt or concern.