Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To review the symptoms of serotonin toxicity (commonly referred to as serotonin syndrome) and the causative drugs and their mechanisms of action, and to equip primary care providers with practical strategies to prevent and identify serotonin toxicity. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles on serotonin toxicity, the causes, and the differential diagnosis using search terms related to serotonin toxicity ( serotonin syndrome, serotonin toxicity, serotonin overdose), causes (individual names of drug classes, individual drug names), and diagnosis (differential diagnosis, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, anticholinergic toxicity, discontinuation syndrome, malignant hyperthermia, serotonin symptoms). Experts in psychiatric medicine, psychiatric pharmacy, clinical pharmacology, and medical toxicology were consulted. Evidence is level II and III. MAIN MESSAGE: CONCLUSION: Family physicians play a key role in identifying and preventing serotonin syndrome by teaching patients to recognize symptoms and monitoring patients throughout therapy.
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Authors | Ai-Leng Foong, Kelly A Grindrod, Tejal Patel, Jamie Kellar |
Journal | Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien
(Can Fam Physician)
Vol. 64
Issue 10
Pg. 720-727
(10 2018)
ISSN: 1715-5258 [Electronic] Canada |
PMID | 30315014
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Copyright | Copyright© the College of Family Physicians of Canada. |
Chemical References |
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
- Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
- Serotonin
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Topics |
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Overdose
(diagnosis, therapy)
- Family Practice
(education)
- Humans
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
(adverse effects)
- Physician's Role
- Serotonin
(toxicity)
- Serotonin Syndrome
(diagnosis, prevention & control)
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(adverse effects)
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