Venlafaxine-induced serotonin syndrome with relapse following amitriptyline.
A case of venlafaxine-induced serotonin syndrome is described with relapse following the introduction of amitriptyline, despite a 2-week period between the discontinuation of one drug and the commencement of the other. Electroencephalography may play an important part in diagnosis. With the increasing use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, greater awareness of the serotonin syndrome is necessary. Furthermore, the potential for drug interactions which may lead to the syndrome needs to be recognised.
Perry
N K
NK
Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Poole Hospital NHS Trust, Longfleet Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 2JB, UK.
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D020230:Serotonin Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000639:Amitriptyline; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride