May 23, 2013

Weather

Partly Cloudy

65°
Conditions at Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, VA
Weather

Overcast

70°
Conditions at Louisa County / Freeman Field Airport, VA
Weather

Mostly Cloudy

66°
Conditions at Orange County Airport, VA
Save Email Print Bookmark and Share
Posted: Mon 10:06 AM, Jul 18, 2011
A A
Reporter: Stephanie Satchell Email

What's Going Around - Serotonin Syndrome

July, 18, 2011

This week we're talking about prescription drug reactions. Dr. William Tompkins of Blue Ridge Internal Medicine says serotonin syndrome is what's going around this week.

It's a potentially life threatening drug reaction that is caused by an overdose of serotonin, a chemical naturally produced by nerve cells. An overload of serotonin from additive effects of several medicines that boost serotonin can have a potentially fatal effect.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include confusion, loss of coordination, fast heart beat, rapid changes in blood pressure, agitation, fever/sweating or diarrhea/nausea.

Treatment may include fluids by IV and withdrawal of medicines that caused the condition.

You can prevent serotonin syndrome by making sure your doctor has an accurate and up-to-date list of prescriptions. That way the know exactly what you're taking and can avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

Next Story >

The comments sections of Newsplex.com are designed for thoughtful, intelligent conversation and debate. We want to hear from our viewers, but we only ask that you use your best judgment. E-mail is required, but will not be displayed with comment.

  • Comments cannot be profane or vulgar. We will not post comments that use profanity or cross the lines of good taste.
  • We will not post comments that use hate speech. Slurs, stereotypes and violent talk aren’t welcome on our website.
  • Comments should not attack other readers or people featured in our stories personally. Any accusations should be backed up with facts.
  • Any comment we post will be posted in its entirety. We do not edit any comment that we post.
     
  • Comments should contribute to the discussion. We will not post comments that don't advance the discussion. Flaming and/or trolling will not be tolerated.
     
  • Comments should not attack other posters. Let's keep the focus on the content of the story.

    As a host Newsplex.com welcomes a wide spectrum of opinions. However this is a site that we host. We have a responsibility to all our readers to try to keep our comment section fair and decent. For that reason The Newsplex reserves the right to not post or to remove any comment.

    If you have any ideas to improve the conversation or this section let us know. Send an e-mail to webmaster@newsplex.com.

 
powered by Disqus

News Video