Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Aventyl as follows:
Serotonin syndrome
- Serotonin is one chemical in the brain, which in permissible amounts, is believed to reduce anxiety and promote happiness and well-being.
- Very excessive concentrations of serotonin in the brain can lead to serotonin syndrome. Individuals with serotonin syndrome can present with mania, excitement, hallucinations, agitation, insomnia, pounding heartbeat, very rapid heart rate, overactive reflexes, and diarrhea.
- Aventyl use, especially along with a few other antidepressants, such as, citalopram, fluoxetine, and sertraline, can significantly increase the serotonin levels in the body and lead to development of serotonin syndrome.
- Report symptoms of serotonin syndrome to your physician promptly for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Musculoskeletal side-effects
- Aventyl intake carries the risk of causing seizures, especially in individuals with history of seizures. Individuals can present with sudden episodes of loss of consciousness, intense convulsions with muscle contractions, bowel and bladder incontinence. Do not ignore seizure episodes and report them to your physician promptly for any appropriate measures to be considered.
- Aventyl intake can also induce a life-threatening reaction called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). Individuals with NMS can present with high fever, episodes of confusion, intense muscle rigidity and contractions, elevated blood pressure, and rapid heart rate.
- Potassium ion usually is maintained within close limits in the blood and body fluids and any sudden increase or decrease in blood potassium levels can lead to severe cardiac arrhythmias. Uncontrolled seizure activity and intense muscle contractions from Aventyl use can lead to muscle damage and breakdown. Potassium ion from within the damaged muscle cells can leak out into the blood and body fluids, thus causing an acute increase in blood potassium levels. This acute elevation of potassium levels in the blood from Aventyl use can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Individuals can present with episodes of chest pain, intense shortness of breath, altered heartbeat, ineffective heart contractions, dizziness/loss of consciousness from arrhythmias. Report them to your physician promptly for any appropriate measures to be considered.
