Serotonin Syndrome

• Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) is a biogenic amine naturally present in the body and stored primarily in the presynaptic nerve terminals of the CNS, enterochromaffin cells, and platelets.
• Serotonin functions in neurotransmission, intestinal motility, regulation of vasomotor tone and blood pressure, and platelet aggregation.
  • Systemic levels in the circulation are normally low

Related Article: Drug Interactions in Polypharmacy

• Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a spectrum of clinical signs caused by the effects of elevated serotonin levels.
• Ingestion of certain medications—at therapeutic (eg, adverse effect) or toxic doses—can result in SS (see Medications & Supplements That May Cause Serotonin Syndrome, and the handout, Agents Implicated in Serotonin Syndrome).

Systems

• SS can affect multiple body systems to varying degrees, depending on medication and dose ingested (see Table, above).
• Tryptophan is converted to 5-hydroxy­tryptophan (5-HTP) and then to serotonin.
  • Accidental poisoning from ingestion of holistic supplements containing 5-HTP can result in significant SS.
• In humans, SS often occurs with coingestion of ≥2 drugs that alter serotonin metabolism via different mechanisms (eg, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], monoamine oxidase inhibitors [MAOIs]), although overdose of single agents has also been reported.^1-3
• In veterinary medicine, most SS cases result from accidental ingestion or overdose of 1 drug.
  • Depending on patient size and drug involved, ≥1 pill may be required to initiate clinical signs.

Genetic Implications

• Individual variation or deficiencies in intrinsic monoamine oxidase and cytochrome P450 enzymes may affect drug sensitivity.
• Specific implications for veterinary patients are unknown.

Related Article: Medical Management of Behavioral Problems

Incidence & Prevalence

• Prevalence of SS in humans and other animals has increased over 10–15 years with increased use of antidepressants (particularly SSRI and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor [SNRI] antidepressants).²

Geographic Distribution

• There is no known specific geographic distribution associated with SS.

• Any species or breed may be affected.
• Animal poison control helplines are most commonly contacted for SS in dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, and potbellied pigs (in order of decreasing frequency).⁴
  • Crossbreed dogs and Labrador retrievers were overpresented in one study.⁵
• No sex or age predilections have been noted.

• The most common causes of SS include excessive ingestion of SSRIs; SNRIs; tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs); MAOIs; and dietary supplements containing tryptophan, 5-HTP, and other herbal supplements.

• Risk for SS is increased in patients with underlying cardiovascular or metabolic (eg, hepatic or renal impairment) conditions, primary or secondary hypertension, and seizure disorders.

• Some neonatal and geriatric patients may be at increased risk.

• SS is caused by any substance or mechanism that increases serotonin levels in the CNS.
• To date, four major mechanisms by which these agents increase serotonin in the CNS have been identified:
  • Serotonin metabolism inhibited (eg, MAOIs, isoniazid)
  • Reuptake of serotonin by presynaptic nerve terminals (eg, SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs) inhibited
  • Serotonin precursor and serotonin agonist (eg, tryptophan, 5-HTP, other herbals) use increased
  • Release of stored serotonin from presynaptic nerves (eg, amphetamines; 3,4-methylenedioxy-n-methylamphetamines [eg, ecstasy]; cocaine) increased

• A thorough patient history should include:
  • Clinical signs
  • Signalment
  • Vaccination status
  • Heartworm prevention
  • Exposure to trauma or infectious agents
  • Underlying conditions
  • Current and recent medications and supplements (including herbal)
  • Exposure history (eg, what, when, how much [dose strength, tablet number])
  • Emetic agents used at home (if any)
  • Owner medications

• A thorough, systematic examination should include assessment of vital signs with emphasis on the CNS and cardiovascular system.

• Signs of SS can vary with the toxicant ingested, ingested dose, time to decontamination, and underlying patient health (see Table).
• Level of concern, onset of signs, and duration of action can vary, depending on whether the drug is rapid onset, extended release, or sustained release.
  • With most rapid-onset drugs, signs may be observed as early as 30 minutes–2 hours postingestion.
  • With extended- or sustained-release formulations, signs may develop within 2–6 hours (rarely out to 12 hours) postexposure.
• SS can be seen at therapeutic doses and overdoses of veterinary-prescribed medications
  • With low doses (ie, low levels of toxicosis) or adverse effects from drugs, mild signs (eg, GI and CNS signs) are common.
  • At higher doses, SS signs may include more serious GI upset and CNS signs, as well as cardio-pulmonary signs.
• Untreated, SS can result in death.

• Over-the-counter urine drug tests may detect some (not all) agents suspected of causing SS.
  • These tests can produce false-negative and false-positive results and do not undergo strict laboratory standards.
• Urine, blood, and stomach contents can be tested through a human or veterinary diagnostic laboratory, but testing may be cost-prohibitive, and results probably will not be available in time to benefit treatment.
• Serum levels do not often correlate consistently with clinical signs.

• Other exposures or toxicants that can result in similar signs include:
  • Illicit drugs
  • Sleep medications (eg, zolpidem, zopiclone, zaleplon)
  • Wild mushrooms
  • Tremorogenic mycotoxins (eg, compost, moldy food)
  • Atypical antipsychotics (SS vs neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
  • Opioids or opiates
  • Sympathomimetics
  • Anticholinergics
  • Insecticides (eg, carbamates, organophosphates)
  • Rodenticides (eg, zinc phosphide, bromethalin, strychnine)
  • Infectious diseases
  • Metabolic causes
  • Molluscicides (eg, metaldehyde)

• There is no specific antidote for SS.
• Treatment is supportive and symptomatic, aimed at controlling GI, CNS, and cardiovascular signs and regulating body temperature.
• Depending on when the toxicant was ingested, treatment may consist of decontamination measures followed by monitoring for clinical signs.
  • Decontamination (eg, emesis induction, administration of activated charcoal) should only be performed in the following situations:
    • In dogs only: At-home emesis induction can be performed safely with hydrogen peroxide only with recent ingestion (<15–30 min) in asymptomatic patients.
    • In cats: Immediate veterinary attention for appropriate emesis induction with xylazine should be performed in asymptomatic patients with recent ingestion (<1 hour); no at-home emetic agents are recommended.
  • At presentation, the decision regarding appropriate emesis induction should be based on whether the patient is asymptomatic and whether the benefit outweighs risk for aspiration.
  • See Suggested Reading for more on decontamination.

• Asymptomatic patients should be monitored for 12 hours postexposure.
• Because clinical signs may change abruptly, symptomatic patients should be monitored closely as inpatients. 
  • After clinical signs have resolved (typically within 12–24 hours, rarely 48–72 hours in severe cases), the patient can be discharged.

GI Support

• Antiemetic therapy (eg, maropitant 1 mg/kg SC q24h) should be administered after emesis or gastric lavage and before activated charcoal.
• Activated charcoal with sorbitol should be administered.
  • Benefits of charcoal administration over aspiration risk should be considered in symptomatic patients.
  • Repeat doses without sorbitol can be provided for sustained- or extended-release drug exposures, TCAs, and drugs that undergo enterohepatic recirculation.

Fluid Therapy

• IV fluids (standard crystalloids) at 1.5–2 times maintenance dose may provide adequate hydration and renal perfusion.
• Diuresis typically does not enhance excretion of these drugs.

What to Monitor

• Baseline renal values, blood glucose, and electrolytes in symptomatic patients
• CNS and cardiovascular signs
• Heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
• Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring if cardiac abnormalities develop

Symptomatic Supportive Care

• Cooling measures for body temperature >106°F should be stopped once temperature is 103.5°F.
  • Antipyretics are not recommended.
• Sensory stimuli should be minimized (if possible): no bright lights, loud noise, or sudden movements.
• Cyproheptadine (5-HT2A serotonin receptor antagonist) can be used for SS, hyperesthesia, hyperreflexia, and vocalization.
  • May be used with sedation

Neurologic Support & Sedation

• Sedatives may be used as needed for CNS excitation.
  • The goal is to calm the patient without causing excessive sedation.
• Muscle relaxants (eg, methocarbamol) may be used for muscle fasciculation or tremors.
• Anticonvulsants may be given for seizures.
• Benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam, midazolam) are not generally recommended.
  • May increase CNS excitation

• Agitation
  • Acepromazine at 0.05–0.1 mg/kg IV, IM, or SC
  • Chlorpromazine at 0.5–1 mg/kg slow IV or IM
    • Some serotonin receptor antagonist activity

• SS
  • Cyproheptadine
    • Dogs: 1.1 mg/kg PO or PR q4–8h
    • Cats: 2–4 mg PO or PR q4–8h as needed

• Tremors
  • Methocarbamol at 55–220 mg/kg slow IV to effect
    • Note risk for CNS/respiratory depression with high doses.

• Seizures
  • Phenobarbital at 4–16 mg/kg IV as needed
  • Propofol at 2–6 mg/kg IV or 0.1–0.6 mg/kg/min CRI
    • Can decrease dose by 25% if acepromazine or chlorpromazine has been administered
  • General anesthesia

• Arrhythmias
  • In tachycardic patients (dogs, >180 bpm; cats, >220–240 bpm) not responsive to sedation, use of β-blockers may be necessary.
    • Propranolol
      • 0.02–0.06 mg/kg slow IV
      • Dogs: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q8h
      • Cats: 2.5–10 mg total dose PO q8–12h
    • In bradycardic patients (dogs, <50–60 bpm; cats, <120 bpm), blood pressure should be checked immediately to monitor for reflex bradycardia secondary to severe hypertension.
      • Antihypertensives as needed (systolic blood pressure >180 mm Hg)
      • If patient is normotensive and bradycardic, treat with atropine at 0.01–0.02 mg/kg IM or IV
    • Antihypertensive (eg, nitroprusside) can be considered for hypertensive patients (systolic blood pressure >180–190 mm Hg).
    • Heart rate and blood pressure should be checked before administering any cardiac drugs; monitoring should be attentive and frequent.

• Based on human extrapolations, benzodiazepines should be avoided, as they may increase CNS excitation.
• S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) may increase serotonergic effects.
• Magnesium-containing cathartics in TCA exposures
  • Decreased GI motility may increase serum magnesium levels.

• Drugs that may exacerbate signs of SS (eg, tramadol, SSRI antidepressants, MAOIs, ketoconazole, cimetidine, amitraz) should be avoided.

• During monitoring, any signs should be addressed symptomatically. 
• Symptomatic patients should be monitored closely until signs resolve.

• Complications include rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), renal hypoxia/failure, and respiratory/CNS depression, any of which can lead to death.

• Depending on the toxicant ingested, baseline biochemical evaluation may need to be performed then rechecked within days of hospital discharge

• $$–$$$$

• Prognosis for SS is generally good unless severe signs (eg, arrhythmias, seizures, hyperthermia, DIC) occur.
  • Signs are potentially more severe with ingestion of TCAs and MAOIs.

• Owners should be counseled on the importance of keeping prescription medications, drugs, and herbal supplements out of reach.
• Anecdotally, cats seem to preferentially ingest venlafaxine hydrochloride (Effexor XR, effexorxr.com) more often than most other medications; extra caution is advised

DIC = disseminated intravascular coagulation, MAOI = monoamine oxidase inhibitor, NMDA = N-methyl-d-aspartate, SNRI = selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor,  SS = serotonin syndrome, SSRI = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, TCA = tricyclic antidepressant

COLLEEN M. ALMGREN, DVM, PhD, is a staff veterinarian at Pet Poison Helpline in Minnesota. Her experience includes small and large animal clinical practice, laboratory animal medicine, pathology, and toxicology, her primary focus. Dr. Almgren has worked at ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and has been published in scientific and veterinary medicine journals. She earned her DVM from University of Illinois and completed a pathology residency and PhD at The Ohio State University.

JUSTINE A. LEE, DVM, DACVECC, DABT, is CEO and founder of VetGirl, a subscription-based podcast service offering RACE-approved continuing education (CE). Dr. Lee graduated from Cornell University and completed her internship at Angell. She also completed an emergency fellowship and residency at University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Lee is double-boarded in both emergency critical care and toxicology. In 2011, she was named the NAVC Conference Small Animal Speaker of the Year, and she is passionate about delivering clinically relevant CE.