Triptans, SSRIs/SNRIs and serotonin syndrome.

Serotonin is a naturally occurring “messenger” protein that is found primarily in the gastrointestinal system, certain blood cells (platelets) and the central nervous system (brain and brain stem). Abnormal activity of this messenger protein has been implicated in both migraine and depression, and medications that modify serotonin can be effective in treating both disorders. Such medications include, for migraine, the “triptans”: eg, sumatriptan (Imitrex, Sumavel, generic sumatriptan); and, for depression, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): eg, fluoxetine (Prozac or generic fluoxetine) and others for the SSRIs, and venlafaxine (Effexor or generic venlafaxine) and others for the SNRIs.