Cynthia Wright Talton1. 1. is a Nurse Practitioner in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, Virginia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This review of serotonin syndrome or serotonin toxicity covers the years 2014 to 2019, including information on pathophysiology, etiology, and diagnosis, 3 criteria for diagnosing serotonin syndrome, and criteria for neuroleptic malignant syndrome. IMPORTANCE: The review highlights the potential lethal combinations of commonly prescribed medications used to treat both veteran and nonveteran patients and includes the latest information on offending medications. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention of serotonin toxicity includes informed clinicians, patient education, careful prescribing and monitoring, and avoidance of multidrug regimens.
OBJECTIVE: This review of serotonin syndrome or serotonin toxicity covers the years 2014 to 2019, including information on pathophysiology, etiology, and diagnosis, 3 criteria for diagnosing serotonin syndrome, and criteria for neuroleptic malignant syndrome. IMPORTANCE: The review highlights the potential lethal combinations of commonly prescribed medications used to treat both veteran and nonveteran patients and includes the latest information on offending medications. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention of serotonin toxicity includes informed clinicians, patient education, careful prescribing and monitoring, and avoidance of multidrug regimens.