Discontinuation symptoms with nefazodone.

OBJECTIVE

We report a patient who developed discontinuation symptoms following nefazodone cessation.

CLINICAL PICTURE: The patient experienced nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, ataxia, insomnia, marked agitation, headache and flu-like symptoms.

TREATMENT: She was reluctant to recommence nefazodone and was symptomatically treated with oxazepam.

OUTCOME: The patient recovered completely in 10 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Nefazodone discontinuation can result in withdrawal symptoms and therefore needs to be tapered gradually. Those who have experienced discontinuation symptoms with other antidepressants in the past may be at increased risk.