 |
 |
URL for this: http://www.yahoo.com/headlines/961106/health/stories/serotonin_1.html Wednesday November 6 1:02 PM EST Serotonin Syndrome In Prozac Users NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Health experts are worried that people who take Prozac and similar drugs for depression may encounter serious side effects if they are also taking certain other medications. Their report in the November issue of the Annals of Emergency Medicine says the increasing popularity of "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)," such as Prozac, is leading to more cases of potentially fatal "serotonin syndrome" due to drug interactions and overdoses. "Because the number of prescriptions being written for SSRIs is rising rapidly, emergency physicians are going to see the serotonin syndrome a lot more frequently," says University of Pittsburgh emergency doctor Dr. Thomas G. Martin. "We want people, especially the elderly who are likely to be taking a variety of medications, to be aware that something as subtle as increased confusion, unusual behavior, or agitation may be the first sign of serotonin syndrome. So, it's important that your doctor knows what drugs you take." Serotonin syndrome has a variety of symptoms -- hallucinations, confusion, fluctuating blood pressure, seizures, high temperatures, stiffness, and irregular heart beats. People taking SSRIs can develop the syndrome when they take illegal drugs such as LSD, cocaine, or "ecstasy" (MDMA). Also at risk are people taking Demerol -- a commonly prescribed pain medication, and imipramine (Tofranil), another antidepressant. Martin notes that the most severe -- even fatal -- drug interactions can occur from mixing SSRIs with older antidepressants such as Nardil. "These new antidepressants (SSRIs) are helpful to many patients when used correctly," says Martin. But, even though these drugs have fewer side effects than their predecessors, they can be dangerous when combined with other drugs." SOURCE: Annals of Emergency Medicine (1996;28(5):520-525) _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ Central Supply & Services _/ _/ (Internet Training and Research) _/ _/ PO Box 57247, Jackson Stn., _/ _/ Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8P 4X1 _/ _/ John S. Walker _/ _/ Email [log in to unmask] _/ _/ _/ _/ "To Teach is to touch a life forever" _/ _/ On the Web one touch can reach so far! _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/