Anesth Pain Med.  2014 Apr;9(2):115-118.

Probable tramadol-induced atypical serotonin syndrome in a patient receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and stopped at 10 days before surgery: A case report

• Kang Y
• Min J
• Chae YK
• Lee SE
• Je UJ
• Lee YK

Abstract

Tramadol can increase the serum level of serotonin, causing serotonin syndrome, which is a potentially life-threatening condition. Serotonin syndrome occurs when tramadol is used in combination with other drugs that affect serotonin. A patient who had been taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and stopped at 10 days before surgery experienced intermittent heart rate elevation, tremor of the upper extremities and mental change after receiving an infusion of tramadol for postoperative pain control. Although he did not show the typical triad of serotonin syndrome (systemic autonomic dysfunction, neuromuscular impairment and mental status change), the patient was suspected to have serotonin syndrome caused by tramadol.

Keyword

Postoperative pain control; Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; Serotonin syndrome; Tramadol

MeSH Terms

Heart Rate
Humans
Pain, Postoperative
Serotonin Syndrome*
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
Serotonin*
Tramadol
Tremor
Upper Extremity
Serotonin
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
Tramadol