MEDICATION DISCONTINUATION IN PANIC DISORDER

This paper addresses current issues associated with medication discont inuation in panic disorder, with specific focus on one of the most fre quently used medication classes for this indication, the benzodiazepin es. The majority of patients, when slowly tapered, are able to discont inue the benzodiazepines without a great deal of difficulty, particula rly after short-term therapy. Patients treated with long-term therapy at high therapeutic doses may experience greater difficulty with disco ntinuation. If patients are adequately prepared and if discontinuation is conducted slowly and gradually, discontinuation symptoms, if they occur, are transient, mild to moderate, and generally tolerable. Howev er, return of the original condition (relapse) during discontinuation can greatly complicate clinical management.