These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Seratonin Syndrome
Question: What is seratonin syndrome? What medications may cause this syndrome and is it dose related?
Answer: Serotonin syndrome refers to the excessive release of serotonin. This is occasionally seen in a type of secretory tumor called a carcinoid tumor and produces diarrhea, flushing, wheezing and abdominal pain. No specific foods produce this type of syndrome in the absence of a carcinoid tumor. Sometimes people treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors for depression are said to have “serotonin syndrome”. This results from taking certain foods after being treated with MAO inhibitor for a period of time. These foods include chicken livers, pickled herring, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, beer, wine, broad beans, figs, bananas, avocados, active yeast, soy sauce, chocolate and excessive caffeine. Drugs which produce this syndrome include cold decongestants and any stimulants.
