Serotonin syndrome associated with morphine‐phenelzine interaction

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially serious condition that can, albeit rarely, result in death. It is usually caused by increased serotonin stimulation. The most common pharmacological intervention that results in serotonin syndrome is the concurrent use of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) with either tryptophan, tricyclic antidepressants, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).1 However, some opiates, such as tramadol (Ultram) and meperidine (Demerol), also have weak serotonergic activity and have been reported to precipitate serotonin toxicity with concurrent SSRI administration.2

Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - September 22, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Y. W. Francis Lam Tags: Drug‐Drug Interactions Source Type: research