Question 1

ive been taking buspirone for over 2 months. i will be stopping it to start escitalopram. is there a risk for serotonin syndrome? or is it only a risk if those two medications are taken together at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Buspar/Lexapro ?'s: Both Buspar and Lexapro have side effects and which if taken together can cause "Serotonin syndrome".  Best is to taper off the Buspar and allow a few days for residual effects to vanish, then start Lexapro, which itself takes time to be effective.  Buspar is antianxiety and Lexapro (SSRI) is an antidepressant.  Neither should be taken without a physician's oversight.

Question 2

is it possible to get serotonin syndrome from st johns wort, 5htp, or sam-e, when taken by themselves, and without any other medications?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin syndrome: Is possible but is rare from herbals and natural products -- unless you took multiple doses per day. With stacking of these or combining with a prescribed anti depressant med or migraine med, then serotonin syndrome risks will escalate.

Question 3

should discontinuing my medication get rid of serotonin syndrome? went to er and they did nothing. how long will it take for me to recover?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If you have a serotonin syndrome secondary to some medications it should resolve with discontinuance, but the time it takes will depend upon what you were taking. Need more info.

Question 4

if the only interaction w/my medication (100mg sertraline) is the risk of serotonin syndrome, is it okay to still take the other meds if not an ssri?

Accepted Answer

Would need more info: SSRI's are not the only medications that can increase serotonin level.  It would depend on what the other medications are.

Question 5

started 20mg prozac (fluoxetine) for anxiety a week ago. worried about serotonin syndrome. i have no symptoms now, am i at risk every time i take my medication?

Accepted Answer

Prozac (fluoxetine): Not by itself &amp; not at this dose. Serotonin syndrome is not common &amp; may occur when mixing more than one Serotonin agents at once.

Question 6

what medacations help with serotonin syndrome?

Accepted Answer

See your Dr: The Dr who prescribed the medications that resulted in developing this condition must be involved in the resolution. If that's not possible - find another quickly or go to Urgent Care or an ER. You can not fix this yourself. Best wishes!

Question 7

can you have perm brain/cns damage or neurlogical damage from serotonin syndrome   left untreated or not  recognized and left on drugs. ?

Accepted Answer

Rarely, but yes: It's not specifically 'brain' damage but there are some forms of possible permanent critical damage. Read here: http://www.progressivehealth.com/serotonin-syndrome.htm
Your awareness is good as it is likely to protect you from such inattention. Definitely discuss w/ Dr and try to find safe expert psychotherapy to avoid unneeded Rx or minimize it. Best wishes!

Question 8

i suffered serotonin syndrome due to a combo of savella (milnacipran) and tramadol.  are there any other drugs available to help my fibromyalgia pain and fatigue?

Accepted Answer

See below: I might suggest Lyrica (pregabalin) (fda approved for fibro) or Gabapentin (neurontin).

Question 9

i submitted a question before completing your application. did you get it, it was on serotonin syndrome?

Accepted Answer

We can't cross : reference your previous entries on Basic Health Tap.
 Serotonin Syndrome  is a serious rxn to taking 1  orm more serotonergic meds. It can cause nausea /vomiting /diarrhea, abdominal pain, stiffness or spasm of muscles,fever, shivering, ^ sweating, hallucinations, confusion, restlessness, visual changes, ^ Heart rate, tremor, lack of coordination, seizure, bp changes, dilated pupils, In some rarer

Question 10

any tests for serotonin syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Clinical diagnosis : Clinical diagnosis should be more than enough and it is quite clear if someone has a history and the doses took, matching with clinical signs, anytesting will not be relevat a sit gets metabolised in 5hiaa, found in urine nondiagnostic for ss.

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Doctor answers about:

Serotonin syndrome medication

A member asked:

Ive been taking buspirone for over 2 months. i will be stopping it to start escitalopram. is there a risk for serotonin syndrome? or is it only a risk if those two medications are taken together at the same time?

A member asked:

Is it possible to get serotonin syndrome from st johns wort, 5htp, or sam-e, when taken by themselves, and without any other medications?

A member asked:

Should discontinuing my medication get rid of serotonin syndrome? went to er and they did nothing. how long will it take for me to recover?

A member asked:

If the only interaction w/my medication (100mg sertraline) is the risk of serotonin syndrome, is it okay to still take the other meds if not an ssri?

A member asked:

Started 20mg prozac (fluoxetine) for anxiety a week ago. worried about serotonin syndrome. i have no symptoms now, am i at risk every time i take my medication?

A member asked:

What medacations help with serotonin syndrome?

A member asked:

Can you have perm brain/cns damage or neurlogical damage from serotonin syndrome left untreated or not recognized and left on drugs. ?

A member asked:

I suffered serotonin syndrome due to a combo of savella (milnacipran) and tramadol. are there any other drugs available to help my fibromyalgia pain and fatigue?

A member asked:

I submitted a question before completing your application. did you get it, it was on serotonin syndrome?

A member asked:

Any tests for serotonin syndrome?

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