sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site

Warning-sign checks

Serotonin syndrome: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services now if you or someone with you has:

    • A seizure, collapse, or loss of consciousness
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Severe confusion or rapidly worsening agitation
    • Marked muscle rigidity or uncontrollable jerking
    • A high or rapidly rising temperature
    • A very fast or irregular heartbeat
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent medical assessment if new tremor, sweating, diarrhoea, restlessness, muscle twitching, or overactive reflexes develop soon after a medicine change, overdose, or new combination of substances.

    Contact a local poison information service immediately after a suspected overdose, even if symptoms have not appeared.

    Routine review is not a substitute for urgent care when symptoms are developing.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    A routine medication appointment is appropriate if you have no symptoms but are concerned about a possible interaction or want a review before starting an over-the-counter product.

    A pharmacist can also check combinations.

The article also says

Do not drive yourself if you are severely unwell.

Bring medicine packets or a medication list if this can be done safely.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Serotonin syndrome. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.