what is serotonin syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening drug reaction that occurs when there is too much serotonin in the body, usually due to medications that affect serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps brain cells and other nervous system cells communicate with each other. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can range from mild to severe and can include high blood pressure, a fast heart rate, agitation, increased reflexes, tremor, sweating, dilated pupils, diarrhea, confusion, and even seizures and coma in severe cases. Serotonin syndrome can occur when you increase the dose of certain medications or start taking a new drug, and its most often caused by combining medications that contain serotonin, such as a migraine medication and an antidepressant. Some illicit drugs and dietary supplements are also associated with serotonin syndrome. The diagnosis of serotonin syndrome is usually made by asking the person questions about their medical history, including the types of medicines they take, and by ruling out other likely causes of the symptoms.