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Serotonin syndrome due to an overdose of moclobemide?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Andrew Ip  and
Tia Renouf
Andrew Ip*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC
Tia Renouf
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Nfld
*
Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard St., Vancouver BC V6Z 1Y6; 604 806-8986, fax 604 806-8798, andrewip68@hotmail.com

Abstract

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Serotonin syndrome, a triad of autonomic instability, altered mental status and neuromuscular abnormalities, is usually attributed to serotonergic overdoses. Moclobemide is a new selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that generally causes mild, self-limited gastrointestinal and central nervous system effects after ingestion. We present a case of serotonin syndrome that occurred after moclobemide overdose, and discuss the recognition and treatment of this important condition. Serotonin syndrome may become increasingly common because of the liberal use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, new MAOIs and other agents such as codeine and meperidine, which have the potential for harmful interaction.

Keywords

serotoninserotonin syndromemonoamine oxidase inhibitormoclobemidecodeineFiorinaloverdoseingestion
Type
Toxicology • Toxicologie
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 4 , Issue 2 , March 2002 , pp. 98 - 101
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2002

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