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    Drug Interactions: SSRIs and Triptans – Serotonin Syndrome Risk

    Introduction Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and triptans are both widely prescribed medications used to manage different medical conditions—SSRIs for depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, and triptans for acute migraine treatment. Though each medication is effective in its respective domain, their combined use presents a serious clinical concern: the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. SSRIs, such as fluoxetine, sertraline, escitalopram, and paroxetine, increase serotonin levels by inhibiting its reuptake in the brain. Triptans, including sumatriptan, rizatriptan, and zolmitriptan, are serotonin receptor agonists that stimulate specific serotonin receptors (primarily 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D subtypes) to constrict cerebral blood…