Serotonin syndrome associated with polypharmacy in the elderly.

Abstract

The increasing use of serotonergic agents, alone and in combination, across multiple disciplines, makes it likely that the prevalence of serotonin syndrome will rise. Caution should be used, especially in the elderly, to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful polypharmacy. We describe a case of serotonin syndrome in a 79-year-old man taking mirtazapine, venlafaxine and quetiapine. As this case illustrates, serotonin syndrome can be caused by combinations of direct serotonin agonists (e.g., serotonergic antidepressants) and indirect serotonin agonists (e.g., atypical antipsychotics).

• Authors: Brian D Poeschla, Pauline Bartle, Karen P Hansen
• Journal: General hospital psychiatry (Gen Hosp Psychiatry) 2011 May-Jun Vol. 33 Issue 3 Pg. 301.e9-11 ISSN: 1873-7714 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21601732 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Serotonin Agents

Topics

• Aged
• Humans
• Male
• Polypharmacy
• Serotonin Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Serotonin Syndrome (chemically induced)