Journal of Neuropsychiatry

Serotonin Syndrome due to Complex Drug Interactions of Second- Generation Antipsychotics in Older Patients: Case Report and Review of the Literature

4^th International Congress on Neurology and Neuropsychiatry
July 10-11, 2023 | Webinar

Yun-Yun Hsieh

Chang Gung Hospital, Taiwan

ScientificTracks Abstracts: J Neurol Neurosci

Abstract

Serotonin syndrome is a state caused by an excess of serotonergic activity in the nervous system that may occur with the use of serotonergic medications. Symptoms vary widely, ranging from mild to severe, from altered mental status, autonomic instability, neuromuscular hyperactivity, to potentiality to death. Widespread prescription of serotonergic agents, especially antidepressants, in the elderly has become a clinical concern. In a recent study, researchers found that one fourth of elderly patients taking antidepressants resulted in serotonin syndrome, while at least two third of these patients showed moderate symptoms, which is potentially life- threatening. Moreover, ingestion of multiple drugs can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. It is mostly triggered when taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in combination with another medication or drug that also increases serotonin levels, such as secondgeneration antipsychotics. Older patients may be at higher risk because of the presence of drug-drug interactions, as well as pharmacokinetic changes with the aging process. The objective of this article is to describe a case of serotonin syndrome in an older man associated with the complex interaction of multiple antipsychotics and antidepressants, and to review the literature on this topic. Recent Publications 1. Liu CY, Chen CY, Yang YY, Yeh EK. Seizure Following Triazolam Withdrawal: Report of a Case. Chinese Psychiatry 1994; 8:303-8 2. Chen CY, Liu CY, Yang YY. Correlation of Panic Attack and Hostility in Chronic Schizophrenia. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2001; 55: 383-387 (SCI 1.132) 3. Chen CY, Chen YJ, Juang YY, Liu CY, Hung CI. Role and attitude of accompanying people on a geriatric psychiatry 4. outpatient visits in Taiwan. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2004; 58(3):257-61. (SCI 1.132) 5. Chen CY, Wang WS, Liu CY, Lee SH. Reliability and validation of a Chinese version of the aging male's symptoms scale. Psychological Reports 2007; 101(1):27-38 (SSCI) 6. Chen CY, et al. Comparison of patient and caregiver assessments of depressive symptoms in elderly patients with depression. Psychiatry Research (in press) (SCI 2.31)

Biography

Yun Yun Hsieh is currently a psychiatry resident at the Psychiatry Department of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung Branch. Professor Chin Yen Chen is currently the head of the psychiatry department of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung Branch and one of the directors of Taiwan Psychiatric Association and Taiwan Association for Prevention and Treatment of Depression. After graduation, he went to Sapporo Medical University, Department of Andrology for researches in the field of male mental health. He is an expert in geriatric psychiatry, and male mental health.