Increased appetite and weight gain are just two of the more common side effects of this commonly prescribed antidepressant. Key takeaways: Mirtazapine is primarily prescribed to treat depression. It can also help manage anxiety, OCD, and insomnia. Increased appetite and weight gain are common...
Read More... Mar 04, 2024Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin syndrome occurs when you take medications that cause high levels of the chemical serotonin to build up in the body. Serotonin is a chemical produced by your body that is needed for our nerve cells and brain to work properly.
Symptoms of serotonin syndrome usually occurs within a few hours of either increasing the dose of a drug you are currently taking or taking a new drug. Signs and symptoms can include confusion, rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure, restlessness and agitation, dilated pupils, excessive sweating, headaches, diarrhea, shivering, goose bumps, and muscle rigidity. In severe cases serotonin syndrome can be life threatening. The signs of severe serotonin syndrome are a high fever, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and unconsciousness.
Serotonin syndrome is caused by an excessive accumulation of serotonin in your body. The nerve cells in your brain and spinal cord produce serotonin that helps to regulate your attention, behaviour, and body temperature. In your intestines, the nerve cells produce serotonin that help to regulate your digestive process, blood flow and breathing. It is possible that taking just one drug will increase your serotonin levels to dangerous levels causing serotonin syndrome, but it is most likely that the condition occurs when you begin to combine medications. For example, the syndrome may occur if you take migraine medication alongside an antidepressant.
Once your serotonin levels return to normal, you should not experience any further problems or complications. If left untreated however, serotonin syndrome can lead to unconsciousness and death. It is important to speak to a doctor as soon as you begin to feel any of the symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome when taking a new medication. In mild cases, stopping the medication should be enough to relieve the symptoms, however in severe cases, hospitalization may be required.
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