Serotonin syndrome and the use of SSRIs.
Nurses need to become more aware of serotonin syndrome to avoid its development and to ensure a therapeutic response when early symptoms emerge. While polypharmacy tends to put individuals at greatest risk for the syndrome, use of a single serotonergic agent may also provoke an adverse response. Because the onset and progression of serotonin syndrome are rapid, prompt action may be needed to avoid potentially life-threatening consequences.
Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA. finfgeldD@health.missouri.edu
Deborah L
DL
Finfgeld
D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015994:Incidence; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D020230:Serotonin Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000009:adverse effects
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D005473:Fluoxetine; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D018170:Sumatriptan