SEROTONIN SYNDROME

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening complication of p sychopharmacologic drug therapy. The syndrome is produced most often b y the concurrent use of two or more drugs that increase brainstem sero tonin activity and is often unrecognized because of the varied and non specific nature of its symptomatology. Serotonin syndrome is character ized by alterations in cognition, behavior, autonomic nervous system f unction and neuromuscular activity. Patients with serotonin syndrome u sually respond to discontinuation of drug therapy and supportive care alone, but they may require treatment with a specific antiserotonergic drug such as cyproheptadine, methysergide and/or propranolol.