PsychoTropicalResearch, serotonin and serotonin syndrome research.
SSRIs - Withdrawal symptoms
SSRIs - Withdrawal symptoms
Date Created: 14/04/1998 Last Modified: 16/01/2002 Last Checked: 07/01/2003
SSRI withdrawal syndrome; symptoms include:
- light headedness, dizziness, vertigo,
- gait disturbance, nausea, vomiting,
- diarrhoea, fatigue, myalgia,
- rhinorrhea and insomnia.
They respond to reinstitution of treatment and are ameliorated by tapering of the dose.
Withdrawal effects may be slightly less common with SSRIs than they are with TCAs with the possible exceptions of paroxetine, fluvoxamine and venlafaxine.
Fluoxetine is the least problematic in this regard which must be assumed to be related to its long elimination half life (making it ‘self-tapering’).
Withdrawal symptoms may occur in 30 to 50% of patients especially after medium term treatment. They are less common after short term treatment of 4 to 6 weeks.
All text ©Dr Ken Gillman MRC Psych - PsychoTropical Research®
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