Key result
Overdose of escitalopram with concomitant use of cocaine resulted in the development of serotonin syndrome in a 20-year-old man.
Case Report (n=1)
Serotonin syndrome should be suspected in patients, particularly drug abusers, who are treated with psychotropic agents and present with mental status changes, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular hyperactivity.
Serotonin syndrome warrants consideration in escitalopram-cocaine overdose; single case leaves open broader applicability.
INTRODUCTION: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity in the central nervous system. It is characterized by mental status changes (eg, confusion, agitation, lethargy, coma), autonomic instability (eg, hyperthermia, tachycardia, diaphoresis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils), and neuromuscular hyperactivity (eg, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, rigidity, trismus). Serotonin syndrome classically occurs in patients receiving two or more serotonergic drugs, but it can occur with monotherapy. We report a case of a 20-year-old man who developed serotonin syndrome resulting from overdose of Escitolapram with concomitant use of cocaine. It is a very important area in medicine as serotonin syndrome should be suspected especially in drug abusers who are being treated with psychotropic agents for mental illnesses.
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Malik et al. (2012) conducted a case report in Serotonin syndrome (n=1). Escitalopram overdose and concomitant cocaine use was evaluated on Serotonin syndrome. Overdose of escitalopram with concomitant use of cocaine resulted in the development of serotonin syndrome in a 20-year-old man.
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