Myoclonic seizures after abrupt withdrawal from phenelzine and alprazolam.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are being used more frequently in the treatment of various psychiatric and neurological disorders. Although adverse effects of MAOI treatment are widely known, withdrawal symptoms are less well known. They include nausea, sweating, palpitations, nightmares, and psychosis. Withdrawal reactions from combination therapy with an MAOI and another agent are seldom described. Reported here is the occurrence of myoclonic seizures after the abrupt discontinuation of phenelzine and alprazolam. Alterations in the GABA and serotonin neurotransmitter systems as a result of withdrawal of the MAOI and the benzodiazepine may account for the seizures.