SEROTONIN SYNDROME MASKED BY CONCOMITANT INGESTION OF ZOLOFT WITH BENZODIAZEPINE IN SUICIDE ATTEMPT IN A YOUNG HEALTHY MALE

Abstract

This case report discusses the history and management of a schizophrenic patient, a 18-year-old man, who had taken a massive overdose of clonazepam, abilify, depakote, zoloft and seroquel altogether. After discontinuation of these drugs and administration of cyproheptadine with IV fluids, he became hemo-dynamically stable. This case suggests that serotonin syndrome should be recognized promptly and complications need to be treated appropriately. Serotonin syndrome should be diagnosed surely to ensure the prompt initiation of the treatment including discontinuation of the precipitating drugs because the disease occasionally progresses rapidly to fatal condition. In addition, both the onset and resolution of symptoms are faster in serotonin syndrome.