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Sub-Category:

Medication Toxicity

Number of Conditions: 1

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Toxicity

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Category: Emergency

Sub-category: Medication Toxicity

Symptoms:
agitation; confusion; tremors; hyperreflexia; tachycardia; sweating; nausea; diarrhea; seizures; hyperthermia

Root Cause:
Excessive serotonin activity in the central nervous system due to overdose or interaction with other serotonergic drugs.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical diagnosis based on history of SSRI use and presentation of symptoms consistent with serotonin syndrome. Rule out other causes like infection or withdrawal.

Treatment:
Discontinuation of the SSRI, supportive care (hydration, cooling measures for hyperthermia), benzodiazepines for agitation, and administration of cyproheptadine (a serotonin antagonist) in severe cases.

Medications:
Cyproheptadine (antihistamine with serotonin antagonist properties), benzodiazepines for sedation, and IV fluids for stabilization.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Incidence is relatively rare but can occur in up to 15% of SSRI overdoses.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Polypharmacy involving serotonergic drugs, overdose, or genetic susceptibility to altered serotonin metabolism.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if treated promptly; untreated severe cases can lead to life-threatening complications like seizures or organ failure.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Seizures, rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, and cardiovascular collapse in severe cases.