Comment on: Serotonin syndrome due to co-administration of linezolid and venlafaxine

The report of Jones et al.1 concerning serotonin syndrome (SS) with linezolid follows several other reports (referenced by the authors), one of which I have already commented on.2 Recent advances have improved our understanding of SS [bet-ter called serotonin toxicity (ST)3]. Professor Whyte’s group at the Hunter Area Toxicology Service (HATS) have published their seminal studies of a large number of overdoses, many (>500 cases) involving serotonergic drugs. Their papers on ST4 – 6 define the features and reinforce the value and importance of the spectrum concept.7,8 It is a complex subject: up-to-date and com-prehensive information can be accessed in my web update9 [par-ticularly, a list of drugs that are significant serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs)]. The important conclusion from Whyte’s work is that ST is a spectrum and potentially fatal ST only occurs when monoamin