WITHDRAWAL REACTION AFTER DISCONTINUATION OF THERAPY WITH ANTIDEPRESSANTS, NEUROLEPTICS AND ANTICHOLINERGIC ANTIPARKINSONICS

Abstract

Background. A withdrawal reaction after reduction of dosage or discontinuation of antidepressants, neuroleptics and anticholinergic antiparkinsonics is often neglected in everyday clinical practice. Although neuroleptics and antidepressants do not cause dependence, withdrawal reaction is present in almost one third of patients, but is usually mild. In severe cases the withdrawal reaction might be misdiagnosed, which leads to inappropriate management.Conclusions. Prevalence, clinical characteristics and some etiological hypotheses of withdrawal reaction for antidepressants, neuroleptics and anticholinergic antiparkinsonics are presented in a form to be useful in everyday clinical practice.

Keywords

• withdrawal reaction
• antidepressants
• neuroleptics
• anticholinergic antiparkinsonics