July 19, 2006 -- Taking certain migraine drugs with some types of antidepressants may create a life-threatening condition, the FDA warns.
The FDA's warning, issued today, focuses on migraine medications called triptans when taken together with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or with serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
SSRIs and SNRIs are used to treat depressiondepression and mood disorders. SSRIs include Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Prozac. SNRIs include Cymbalta and Effexor.
"A life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome may occur when triptans are used together with an SSRI or a SNRI," states an FDA news release.
Serotonin syndrome occurs when the body has too much serotonin, a chemical found in the nervous system. Triptans, SSRIs, and SNRIs all raise serotonin levels.
Symptoms
Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, rapid changes in blood pressure, increased body temperature, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea diarrhea .
Patients taking a triptan along with an SSRI or SNRI should talk to a doctor before stopping their medication, and immediately seek medical attention if they experience any possible symptoms of serotonin syndrome, says the FDA.
The FDA also urges doctors who prescribe triptans, SSRIs, or SNRIs to remember that patients may have prescriptions from other doctors and talk to their patients about the possibility of serotonin syndrome if triptans are taken with SSRIs or SNRIs.
Doctors should work with patients to weigh the risks of taking triptans with SSRIs or SNRIs and closely follow patients taking those drug combinations, says the FDA.
The FDA has also asked all makers of triptans, SSRIs, and SNRIs to update their prescribing information to warn of the possibility of serotonin syndrome when these medications are taken together.