Posted by SalArmy4me on May 15, 2001, at 9:59:59
In reply to The brain zap related to SSRIs, posted by grapebubblegum on May 15, 2001, at 8:11:14
I tried to follow a scientific explanation of why this occurs, but it became too complicated for me. But I found something interesting:
Discontinuation reactions associated with SSRIs. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal. 159(7):846-847, October 6, 1998:
"Hallmark features of discontinuation syndrome associated with SSRIs have been described as follows:
- Discontinuation symptoms are not attributable to other causes. For example, they usually begin 1 to 3 days after cessation of SSRI therapy, whereas signs of depression relapse do not appear for 2 or 3 weeks.
- They emerge after abrupt discontinuation, frequent non-compliance (forgotten doses, planned "drug holidays") and, less often, dose reduction.
- In most cases symptoms are mild and self-limited (lasting on average 7 to 14 days), but they can be distressing.
- They resolve when the original drug is restarted or another drug is given that is pharmacologically similar.
- They are minimized by gradually tapering the dose or by switching to a drug with an extended half-life (e.g., fluoxetine)."
poster:SalArmy4me
thread:63054
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010515/msgs/63070.html