Serious Warning Signs of Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a condition that occurs when certain medications cause too-high amounts of serotonin to build up in the body. It sometimes happens when individuals increase medication doses or add a new medication to an existing regimen. There are also some dietary supplements and illegal drugs that can cause serotonin syndrome. Serotonin is necessary for the function of the brain and nerve cells. However, too much of this chemical leads to a range of symptoms that, when severe, can lead to death if left untreated. Mild forms of the syndrome might dissipate on their own within a day after the individual stops the symptom-causing medications.