Case Evaluation

Lexapro: Combined Use of Lexapro and Migraine Medicines Risky

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory concerning the use of Lexapro and other antidepressants. The FDA announced the risks associated with the combined use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, such as Lexapro) and triptans (used to treat migraine headaches). Combined use can lead to a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.

Serotonin syndrome occurs when the body has too much serotonin, a chemical found in the nervous system. Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, fast heart beat, rapid changes in blood pressure, increased body temperature, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely to occur when starting or increasing the dose of a triptan, SSRI or SNRI.

The FDA has determined that serotonin syndrome occurs with combined use of triptans and a SSRI or SNRI through reports describing serotonin syndrome in people taking these medications together. Each of these types of medicine increases serotonin levels on its own, as well.

Patients who are taking a triptan along with an SSRI or SNRI should talk to their doctor before stopping their medications.

Physicians prescribing a triptan, SSRI or SNRI should:

  • keep in mind that triptans are often used intermittently and that either the triptan, SSRI or SNRI may be prescribed by a different physician
  • weigh the potential risk of serotonin syndrome with the expected benefit of using a triptan with an SSRI or SNRI
  • discuss the possibility of serotonin syndrome with patients if a triptan and an SSRI or SNRI will be used together
  • follow patients closely if a triptan and an SSRI or SNRI are used together, particularly during treatment initiation, with dose increases, or with the addition of another serotonergic medication
  • instruct patients who take a triptan and an SSRI or SNRI together to seek medical attention immediately if they experience the symptoms of serotonin syndrome

Patients should know which medicines they take and tell all of their healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) what these medicines are. Triptans are drugs used to treat migraine headaches, and SSRIs and SNRIs are drugs used to treat depression and other mood disorders. The FDA has requested that all manufacturers of triptans, SSRIs and SNRIs update their prescribing information to warn of the possibility of serotonin syndrome when triptans and SSRIs or SNRIs are taken together.

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