Your questions
Find the answers to commonly asked questions about our clinic and what you can expect from a consultation.
View all frequently asked questionsA National Migraine Centre factsheet
Serotonin is a naturally occurring protein that is found mostly in the gastrointestinal system, certain blood cells and the central nervous system (that is, the brain and brain stem). It acts as a messenger, sending signals around the body.
Changes in this messenger protein have been linked to both migraine and depression. Medications that modify serotonin in the body can therefore be effective in treating both disorders.
Such medications include:
Migraine often overlaps with depression. Each disorder occurs more frequently in individuals affected by the other condition than it does in the general population.
As a result, many patients may be prescribed both a triptan (for acute migraine) and an SSRI or SNRI (to treat depression).
Since both types of drugs work to promote serotonin activity, taken together they could theoretically result in the body producing too much of the protein, resulting in a collection of symptoms that have been termed ‘serotonin syndrome’.
Serotonin syndrome isn’t common, but it can have serious effects. As well as drugs like triptans and SSRIs/SNRIs, other over-the-counter products and natural remedies like St John’s Wort can also increase risks when taken in combination.
The NHS lists symptoms of serotonin syndrome as:
If you are experiencing these symptoms, stop taking your medication and speak to your GP or specialist right away.
Severe serotonin syndrome symptoms include:
If you or someone you know experiences symptoms of severe serotonin syndrome, call 999 and request an ambulance immediately.
This potential risk of taking a combination of triptans with antidepressants will be flagged up by electronic prescribing systems, such as those used by GPs.
However, clinically significant serotonin syndrome from simultaneous use of these medications appears to be extremely rare.
Many experts believe the benefit of effective treatment for both migraine and depression appears to far outweigh the very low risk of serotonin syndrome.
If you are taking an antidepressant medication and your GP or headache specialist recommends a triptan medication (or vice versa), this is very widely used combination of medications that is safely used by a large number of people with headache every day.
Book an appointment with the experts: review the best treatment options for you with a leading headache specialist. Beat the misery of migraine and get back to living. Book your consultation through the National Migraine Centre now.
Our factsheets provide general information only. They are not intended to amount to medical advice on which you should rely or to advocate or recommend the purchase of any product or endorse or guarantee the credentials or appropriateness of any health care provider. No material within our factsheets is intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our factsheets. Do not begin a new medical regimen, or ignore the advice of a medical professional, as a result of information contained within these factsheets, our website or from any of the websites to which we may link. Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information on our factsheets, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied that the content on our factsheets and website is accurate, complete or up to date. Any hyperlinks or references are provided for your convenience & information only. We have no control over third party websites and accept no legal responsibility for any content, material or information contained in them. The information provided in this factsheet does not constitute any form of legal advice and should not be treated as a substitute for specific legal advice. It is not intended to be relied upon by you in making (or refraining from making) any specific decisions. We strongly recommend that you obtain professional legal advice from a qualified solicitor before taking or refraining from taking any action. You may print off, and download extracts, of any page(s) from our website for your personal use and you may draw the attention of others within your organisation to content posted on our site. You must not modify the paper or digital copies of any materials you have printed off or downloaded in any way, and you must not use any illustrations, photographs, video or audio sequences or any graphics separately from any accompanying text. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.
© 2022 National Migraine Centre. All rights reserved. Registered charity no: 1115935. Company limited by guarantee (England and Wales) no: 05846538.
Find the answers to commonly asked questions about our clinic and what you can expect from a consultation.
View all frequently asked questionsExpert factsheets, free resources and headache diaries: trusted information on all aspects of headache and migraine, produced by leading doctors.
Check out our range of factsheets