Catastrophic Complications Related to Psychopharmacologic Drug Withdrawal

Abstract

Numerous physical and psychiatric effects can be attributed to the cessation of psychotropic medications, similar to those agents with abuse potential. In addition, drug withdrawal can exacerbate underlying psychiatric conditions and alter disease course and long-term outcomes. This article discusses specific withdrawal syndromes associated with several classes of psychotropic medications to increase prescriber awareness when tapering and discontinuing psychotropic medications, thereby facilitating discussions with patients about the risks of withdrawal. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2016;46(8):466–472.]

Examining antidepressant use in palliative care patients by risk of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome

“…Symptoms of ‘nausea, vomiting, dizziness, coryza, muscular pains and malaise’ were initially regarded as conversion phenomena, but subsequently attributed to physiological withdrawal 2 . Withdrawal symptoms from monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants were reported as more marked, and included delirium, paranoia, hallucinations and severe depressive symptoms 3 …”

“…2 Withdrawal symptoms from monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants were reported as more marked, and included delirium, paranoia, hallucinations and severe depressive symptoms. 3 Fluoxetine, released in 1988, was the first of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs (SSRI), favoured for their lesser side effects and improved safety in overdose. From the early 1990s, with the arrival of sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram and escitalopram, reports of withdrawal symptoms appeared.…”