Drug mechanisms associated with serotonin syndrome
Mechanism | Specific agents |
---|---|
Decreased serotonin breakdown | Monoamine oxidase inhibitorsa: phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, moclobemide, selegiline, rasagiline Antibiotics: linezolid, tedizolid Others: methylene blue, procarbazine, Syrian rue |
Decreased serotonin reuptake | Antidepressants: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorsa : fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, citalopram, sertraline, escitalopram Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitorsa: venlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran Tricyclic antidepressantsa: clomipramine, imipramine St. John’s wort Opioidsa: meperidine, buprenorphine, tramadol, tapentadol, dextromethorphan Antiepileptics: valproate, carbamezapine Antiemetics: ondansetron, granisetron, metoclopramide |
Increased serotonin precursors or agonists | Tryptophan, lithium, fentanyl, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) |
Increased serotonin release | Central nervous system stimulants: amphetaminesa Anorecticsa: fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, phentermine Drugs of abuse: methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy),a cocaine |
CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors | Antibiotics: erythromycin, ciprofloxacin Antifungal: fluconazole Antiretroviral: ritonavir |
↵a Confirmed to precipitate serotonin syndrome. The others have not been reliably confirmed and are based on case reports or expert opinion.