Conditions and symptoms
What Is Discontinuation Syndrome? Stopping Medicine Safely
Discontinuation syndrome · say it: dis-kon-tin-yoo-AY-shun SIN-drohmAlso written: antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, withdrawal syndrome, SSRI discontinuation syndrome, Discontinuation symptoms, withdrawal symptoms, stopping symptoms
Short answer
Discontinuation syndrome is a set of symptoms that can appear when a medicine, often an antidepressant, is stopped suddenly or reduced too fast.
What it means
Discontinuation syndrome is the name for a group of symptoms that come on after stopping a medicine, or lowering the dose quickly. It is best known with antidepressants. Common symptoms include dizziness, nausea, tiredness, sleep problems, vivid dreams, anxiety, irritability and brief 'electric shock' feelings. It usually starts within a few days.
Labels describe it so that people understand why they should not stop on their own, and why the dose is usually lowered step by step. It also helps doctors and patients tell it apart from the original condition coming back, because the timing and the type of symptoms are different.
'Syndrome' simply means a recognised set of symptoms that occur together. Discontinuation symptoms are the individual effects; discontinuation syndrome is the overall pattern. Neither means addiction, which involves craving and compulsive use.
Where you may see it
- The 'Warnings and Precautions' section of SSRI and SNRI labels
- Leaflets under 'If you stop taking this medicine'
- Psychiatry and GP clinic letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Discontinuation syndrome: taper the dose gradually when stopping treatment.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It does not mean you are addicted.
- It does not mean the medicine damaged you; symptoms usually settle.
- It is not proof that your condition has come back, although your doctor will consider both.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Discontinuation syndrome”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Discontinuation syndrome”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Alprazolam
a benzodiazepine, a type of central nervous system medicine
- Aripiprazole
an atypical antipsychotic medicine
- Clonazepam
a benzodiazepine, a type of medicine that slows activity in the central nervous system
- Diazepam
A benzodiazepine, a type of medicine that slows activity in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
- Duloxetine
A serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) type of antidepressant medicine
- Escitalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant
- Lorazepam
A benzodiazepine, a type of anxiety medicine
- Morphine Sulfate
a strong prescription opioid pain medicine (the label describes it as an opioid agonist)
- Olanzapine
An atypical antipsychotic, a prescription medicine used for certain mental health conditions
- Prednisone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine that works like the adrenocortical (adrenal gland) steroids the body makes naturally
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Discontinuation syndrome” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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