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Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome

Recognition, Prevention and Management

  • Drug Therapy
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Abstract

Summary

Withdrawal from tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and selective serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can produce somatic and psychological distress. Influenza-like syndromes, gastrointestinal adverse effects, arrhythmias, anxiety, sleep disturbances, movement disorders, mania or hypomania, panic attacks and delirium may follow antidepressant withdrawal. At present, the aetiology of withdrawal symptoms is not fully known.

Withdrawal phenomena are usually prevented by gradually reducing the total daily dosage of the drug in question rather than abruptly discontinuing it. Antimuscarinic agents can be prescribed in order to alleviate the symptoms produced by the withdrawal of TCAs and MAOIs. To date, no drugs have been shown to be useful in the treatment of SSRI-associated withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal syndrome associated with MAOIs may constitute a medical emergency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, 46 rue Henri Huchard, 75877, Paris, France

    Michel Lejoyeux & Jacquelyn Solomon

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Louis Mourier Hospital, Colombes, France

    Jean Adès & Sabelle Mourad

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Harris County Psychiatric Center, The University of Texas, Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

    Steven Dilsaver

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  1. Michel Lejoyeux
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  2. Jean Adès
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  4. Jacquelyn Solomon
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  5. Steven Dilsaver
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Lejoyeux, M., Adès, J., Mourad, S. et al. Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome. CNS Drugs 5, 278–292 (1996). https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-199605040-00006

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