title: [The serotonin syndrome. Fatal course of intoxication with citalopram and moclobemide].
abstract: The serotonin syndrome is caused by a drug-induced increase of the intrasynaptic serotonin concentration. Milder forms of the syndrome may be difficult to diagnose because of the variability of symptoms. Severe forms often rapidly turn into a life-threatening situation, therefore the serotonin syndrome may be a challenge for physicians. We describe the pathophysiology and therapeutic options of the serotonin syndrome and report about a 42-year-old female patient who ingested large amounts of moclobemide, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, for attempted suicide. Within a few hours the patient developed a lethal serotonin syndrome although ICU therapy was initiated immediately.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum Anästhesie, Rettungs- und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075 Göttingen. scassens@zari.de
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cassens
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Nickel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quintel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neumann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015283:Citalopram / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020912:Moclobemide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020230:Serotonin Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013405:Suicide
chemical_list: D015283:Citalopram; D020912:Moclobemide; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors