What is serotonin syndrome?

Sometimes, medications that are meant to improve the serotonin levels in the body can cause a dangerous reaction. This reaction is called serotonin syndrome, which results in the body producing too much serotonin. Unfortunately, this condition can be life-threatening and usually requires immediate medical intervention.

How do you get serotonin syndrome?

Serotonin syndrome typically happens when medications that are supposed to boost serotonin levels (such as SSRIs) end up creating too much of this hormone. This condition can can also happen when people misuse prescription medications.

How common is serotonin syndrome?

Studies show that serotonin syndrome is much more common than previously thought. However, more research is needed to understand how common it is and just how severe and potentially life-threatening it can be.

How do you know if you have serotonin syndrome?

In many cases, the symptoms of serotonin syndrome start to show soon after taking the medications that can cause this interaction. Some reports show that symptoms start as soon as one hour after taking the medications. Other times, symptoms can present over the course of a few days. To get a diagnosis, you must be assessed by a medical professional who will take note of your full medical (and medicinal) history as well as your current symptoms.

How long does serotonin syndrome last?

If you stop taking the medications that have caused serotonin syndrome in enough time, it’s possible that this condition only lasts about 24 hours or, at most, a few days. However, the symptoms of serotonin syndrome have the chance to be irreversible if not caught soon enough. This is why it is so important to take preventative action by getting mental health care and medication guidance.

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