Serotonin Syndrome

Michael T. Partin, MD, Karl T. Clebak, MD, FAAFP and Munima Nasir, MD Reviewed 06/2020

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

A potentially life-threatening drug-induced syndrome that results from synaptic increase in serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) concentrations and stimulation of peripheral and ce...

DIAGNOSIS

Serotonin syndrome is a clinical diagnosis.
Hunter Toxicity Criteria Decision Rules (3) aid in the diagnosis of clinically significant serotonin toxicity (sensitivity, 84%; specificity, 97%)....

TREATMENT

Discontinuation of all serotonergic agents is primary management regardless of severity.
Supportive care is the mainstay of therapy. This includes administration of oxygen and aggressive IV f...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

In mild cases of serotonin toxicity, address risks and benefits of restarting offending agents. Serotonergic medications need to be titrated slowly, and patients ...

REFERENCES

Bronstein AC, Spyker DA, Cantilena LRJr, et al. 2008 Annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ National Poison Data System (NPDS): 26th annual report. Clin Toxic...

ADDITIONAL READING

Nordstrom K, Vilke GM, Wilson MP. Psychiatric emergencies for clinicians: emergency department management of serotonin syndrome. J Emerg Med. 2016;50(1):89–91.

CODES

ICD10

G25.79 Other drug induced movement disorders

ICD9

333.99 Other extrapyramidal diseases and abnormal movement disorders

SNOMED

371089000 Serotonin syndrome (disorder)

CLINICAL PEARLS

Consider serotonin syndrome in patients with recent use of a serotonergic agent (particularly if multiple proserotonergic agents are involved) presenting with unexplained tachycardia, ...

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