Serotonin Syndrome Triggered by an Interaction Between Opioid Analgesics and Cobicistat: A Challenging Diagnostic Case Report

Cureus. 2023 Oct 16;15(10):e47138. doi: 10.7759/cureus.47138. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Serotonin syndrome is a clinically diagnosed disorder that may occur secondary to medications that increase the release of endogenous serotonin, impair the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft, are direct serotonin receptor agonists, or increase the sensitivity of the postsynaptic serotonin receptor. In this case report, we describe the diagnosis of serotonin syndrome in a 60-year-old immunocompromised male. This case is unique, as many of the medications associated with the development of serotonin syndrome in this patient are not typically thought of as being associated with serotonin syndrome, though, in this clinical context, they combined to produce a profound pro-serotonergic effect.

Keywords: cobicistat; immunocompromised; oxycodone; serotonin syndrome diagnosis; symtuza.

Publication types

  • Case Reports