TY - JOUR T1 - Serotonin Syndrome After Alcohol and Methamphetamine Ingestion in a Patient on Escitalopram: Case Presentation AU - Saral Öztürk, Zeynep AU - Özen Olcay, Handan AU - Çevik, Yunsur PY - 2025 DA - September Y2 - 2025 JF - Sanatorium Medical Journal JO - Sanatorium Med J PB - T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Ankara Atatürk Sanatoryum Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi WT - DergiPark SN - 3062-3944 SP - 100 EP - 102 VL - 1 IS - 2 LA - en AB - Background: Serotonin syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition characterized by excessive serotonergic activity. This report describes a case of SS in a patient undergoing long-term escitalopram therapy who developed symptoms following the ingestion of methamphetamine and alcohol.Case Presentation: A 42-year-old male on escitalopram presented with agitation, confusion, myoclonic movements, and a localized rash after methamphetamine and alcohol ingestion. Vital signs showed mild hypertension, low-grade fever, and hypoxemia; labs and ECG were normal. He improved rapidly with fluids, diazepam, and paracetamol, and was discharged after observation.Conclusion: Clinical presentation included agitation, spontaneous clonus, and an unusual bullous skin lesion. Prompt supportive treatment led to symptom resolution, and the patient was discharged within six hours. This case underscores the importance of clinical vigilance for SS, particularly in patients with concurrent substance use and stable antidepressant therapy. KW - serotonin syndrome KW - escitalopram KW - alcohol KW - methamphetamine CR - 1. Mikkelsen N, Damkier P, Pedersen SA. Serotonin syndrome-A focused review. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023 Aug;133(2):124-129. CR - 2. Chiew AL, Buckley NA. The serotonin toxidrome: shortfalls of current diagnostic criteria for related syndromes. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2022; 60:143. CR - 3. Suzuki A, Otani K. Serotonin Syndrome After an Alcohol Intake in a Patient Treated With Escitalopram and Clomipramine. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2019;42(3):103-104. CR - 4. Dağar S, Emektar E, Tandoğan M, Çorbacıoğlu ŞK, Uzunosmanoğlu H, Çevik Y. A Rare Cause of Serotonin Syndrome: Chronic Olanzapine Use. Eurasian J Tox. July 2019;1(2):65-68. CR - 5. Dunkley EJ, Isbister GK, Sibbritt D, Dawson AH, Whyte IM. The Hunter Serotonin Toxicity Criteria: simple and accurate diagnostic decision rules for serotonin toxicity. QJM. 2003;96(9):635-42. CR - 6. Mason PJ, Morris VA, Balcezak TJ. Serotonin syndrome. Presentation of 2 cases and review of the literature. Medicine (Baltimore). 2000;79(4):201-9. CR - 7. Caccavale S, Mea EE, La Montagna M. Bullous pemphigoid induced by escitalopram in a patient with depression. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2016 Feb;151(1):122-3. CR - 8. Koylu R, Dundar ZD, Koylu O, Akinci E, Akilli NB, Gonen MO, Cander B. The experiences in a toxicology unit: a review of 623 cases. J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(1):59 65 UR - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/sanatoriummedj/issue//1667106 L1 - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4732512 ER -