One of the most serious life-threatening combinations is Tramadol taken in conjunction with MAOIs or other serotonin agonistic agents or precursors. In this case, a majority of MAOIs, which is a group of antidepressant medications, actually inhibit monoamine oxidase irreversibly. This means the enzyme is no longer capable of functioning until the body has replaced it but unfortunately, this is a process that takes a minimum of one month to complete.

Finally, the level of toxicity increases for someone taking an SSRI or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, which is an antidepressant drug that blocks the reuptake of serotonin. The bottom line is that Serotonin Syndrome caused by Tramadol is something proven and potentially very serious. If an individual takes this prescription medication for pain or even depression and begins to experience any of the symptoms mentioned, immediate medical attention should be sought. Remember, the effects can take hold within minutes to hours so the onset of symptoms should be taken seriously and acted upon immediately.