WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS FROM PAROXETINE

Cessation of tricyclic antidepressant drugs can result in 'cholinergic type' withdrawal symptoms. There is also evidence for withdrawal symp toms following sudden cessation of SSRI antidepressants. Observations made on three patients are described following abrupt cessation of par oxetine, prescribed for treatment of depression. The withdrawal sympto ms described are suggestive of some form of serotonergic effect and th e different frequencies with different SSRIs may relate to their diffe rent potencies for serotonin re-uptake inhibition as well as to pharma cokinetic differences. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.