FDA Issues Advisory on SSRIs/SSNRIs and Migraine Meds

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an advisory that says, "A life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome may occur when triptans [a class of migraine medications] are used together with a SSRI or a SSNRI." The SSRI antidepressants referred to in this warning include:

• Celexa (citalopram)
• Luvox (fluvoxamine)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Symbyax - combination of Prozac and Zyprexa (olanzapine fluoxetine)
• Zoloft (sertraline)

And the SSNRIs are:

• Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride)
• Effexor (venlafaxine)

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include confusion, diarrhea, fever, poor coordination, restlessness, shivering, sweating, talking and acting with excitement you cannot control, trembling or shaking, twitching, hallucinations and rapid heartbeat.

The FDA advises that patients should not stop taking a medication without consulting the prescribing doctor.

For more, see About Headaches/Migraines: Serotonin Syndrome.