Prozac Interaction With Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Tryptophan

PROZAC INTERACTION WITH MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS AND TRYPTOPHAN 

When combined with other drugs that stimulate the serotonergic system, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, other antidepressants, or tryptophan,4 

Prozac and the other SSRIs, as well as any antidepressant that blocks the removal of serotonin from the synapse, can produce a well-documented, severe condition called the serotonin syndrome (Sternbach, 1991). This disorder includes the usual signs of overstimulation, such as euphoria and hypomania, agitation, confusion, and gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea. However, the serotonin syndrome additionally involves overstimulation of the brain stem and spinal cord, producing fever and chills, severe incoordination, muscle spasms, and hyperactive reflexes. It bears some similarity to neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and like NMS it can also be lethal (chapter 4). 

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