Be aware of any pre-appointment steps you need to take.Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and to know what to expect from your doctor. If your symptoms aren't severe, you're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. These medications remain in your system longer than do other medications that can cause serotonin syndrome.īecause serotonin syndrome can be a life-threatening condition, seek emergency treatment if you have worsening or severe symptoms. However, symptoms of serotonin syndrome caused by some antidepressants could take several weeks to go away completely. You may need to take medications to block the effects of serotonin already in your system. Milder forms of serotonin syndrome usually go away within 24 to 72 hours of stopping medications that increase serotonin.

You may need this treatment if you have a high fever. A breathing tube and machine and medication to paralyze your muscles.If your blood pressure is too low, your doctor may give you phenylephrine (Vazculep) or epinephrine (Adrenalin, Epipen, others). These may include esmolol (Brevibloc) or nitroprusside (Nitropress) to reduce a high heart rate or high blood pressure. Breathing oxygen through a mask helps maintain oxygen levels in your blood, and IV fluids are used to treat dehydration and fever.ĭrugs that control heart rate and blood pressure. If other treatments aren't working, medications such as cyproheptadine can help by blocking serotonin production. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium, Diastat) or lorazepam (Ativan), can help control agitation, seizures and muscle stiffness. If you have severe serotonin syndrome, you'll need intensive treatment in a hospital.ĭepending on your symptoms, you may receive the following treatments:.Your doctor may have you stay in the hospital for several hours to make sure your symptoms are improving.

If you have symptoms that concern your doctor, you may need to go to the hospital.

If your symptoms are minor, a visit to the doctor and stopping the medication causing the problem may be enough.

Treatment of serotonin syndrome depends on the severity of your symptoms.

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