Withdrawal syndromes after paroxetine and sertraline discontinuation

Continuous home cage monitoring of activity and sleep in mice during repeated paroxetine treatment and discontinuation

RATIONALE

Non-invasive home cage monitoring is emerging as a valuable tool to assess the effects of experimental interventions on mouse behaviour. A field in which these techniques may prove useful is the study of repeated selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment and discontinuation. SSRI discontinuation syndrome is an under-researched condition that includes the emergence of sleep disturbances following treatment cessation.

OBJECTIVES

We used passive infrared (PIR) monitoring to investigate changes in activity, sleep, and circadian rhythms during repeated treatment with the SSRI paroxetine and its discontinuation in mice.

METHODS

Male mice received paroxetine (10 mg/kg/day, s.c.) for 12 days, then were swapped to saline injections for a 13 day discontinuation period and compared to mice that received saline injections throughout. Mice were continuously tracked using the Continuous Open Mouse Phenotyping of Activity and Sleep Status (COMPASS) system.

RESULTS

Repeated paroxetine treatment reduced activity and increased behaviourally-defined sleep in the dark phase. These effects recovered to saline-control levels within 24 h of paroxetine cessation, yet there was also evidence of a lengthening of sleep bouts in the dark phase for up to a week following discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first example of how continuous non-invasive home cage monitoring can be used to detect objective behavioural changes in activity and sleep during and after drug treatment in mice. These data suggest that effects of paroxetine administration reversed soon after its discontinuation but identified an emergent change in sleep bout duration, which could be used as a biomarker in future preclinical studies to prevent or minimise SSRI discontinuation symptoms.

A Focus on Abuse/Misuse and Withdrawal Issues with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Analysis of Both the European EMA and the US FAERS Pharmacovigilance Databases

Despite increasing reports, antidepressant (AD) misuse and dependence remain underestimated issues, possibly due to limited epidemiological and pharmacovigilance evidence. Thus, here we aimed to determine available pharmacovigilance misuse/abuse/dependence/withdrawal signals relating to the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline. Both EudraVigilance (EV) and Food and Drug Administration-FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) datasets were analysed to identify AD misuse/abuse/dependence/withdrawal issues. A descriptive analysis was performed; moreover, pharmacovigilance measures, including the reporting odds ratio (ROR), the proportional reporting ratio (PRR), the information component (IC), and the empirical Bayesian geometric mean (EBGM) were calculated. Both datasets showed increasing trends of yearly reporting and similar signals regarding abuse and dependence. From the EV, a total of 5335 individual ADR reports were analysed, of which 30% corresponded to paroxetine (n = 1592), 27% citalopram (n = 1419), 22% sertraline (n = 1149), 14% fluoxetine (n = 771), and 8% escitalopram (n = 404). From FAERS, a total of 144,395 individual ADR reports were analysed, of which 27% were related to paroxetine, 27% sertraline, 18% citalopram, 16% fluoxetine, and 13% escitalopram. Comparing SSRIs, the EV misuse/abuse-related ADRs were mostly recorded for citalopram, fluoxetine, and sertraline; conversely, dependence was mostly associated with paroxetine, and withdrawal to escitalopram. Similarly, in the FAERS dataset, dependence/withdrawal-related signals were more frequently reported for paroxetine. Although SSRIs are considered non-addictive pharmacological agents, a range of proper withdrawal symptoms can occur well after discontinuation, especially with paroxetine. Prescribers should be aware of the potential for dependence and withdrawal associated with SSRIs.

Comparative effects of 15 antidepressants on the risk of withdrawal syndrome: A real-world study using the WHO pharmacovigilance database

BACKGROUND

While case reports and clinical trials reported withdrawal syndrome after reduction and/or discontinuation of antidepressant drugs, no large study has been conducted to compare the risk between the different antidepressants.

METHODS

Using data recorded from January 1st, 1988, and December 31st, 2020 in VigiBase®, the World Health Organization's Global Individual Case Safety Reports database, we performed disproportionality analysis to investigate the risk of reporting withdrawal syndrome in patients treated by short half-life antidepressants compared with patients treated by long half-life antidepressants. In addition, we aimed to better inform clinical practice by comparing 15 antidepressants for the risk of reporting withdrawal syndrome.

RESULTS

Among the 338,498 reports with antidepressants of interest, we found 15,507 cases of withdrawal syndrome. Short half-lives antidepressants were associated with an increased risk of reporting a withdrawal syndrome compared to long half-life antidepressants (ROR 5.38; 95% CI 5.16-5.61). The risk was higher for 18-44 years old (ROR 6.88; 95% CI 6.17-7.62), women (ROR 1.38; 95% CI 1.33-1.43) and patients treated with Paroxetine, Desvenlafaxine, Venlafaxine and Duloxetine.

LIMITATIONS

The limitations of this study stem from the case-reporting process.

CONCLUSIONS

This large observational study in a real-world setting suggests that the use of short half-life antidepressants increases the risk of reporting withdrawal syndrome compared to long half-life antidepressants. Among the most common antidepressants, paroxetine and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors are associated with a greater risk of reporting withdrawal syndrome, while agomelatine and vortioxetine present a lower risk. Additional studies are needed to corroborate our results.

An Integrative Approach to Depression: Part 2—Assessment and Treatment

This article is the second of a two-part series presenting an integrative model for understanding and treating depression. In this part, the integrative model provides the basis for comprehensive assessment and treatment, guiding the application of a wide variety of treatments. Evidence-based complementary and conventional treatment modalities for depression are also reviewed.

Withdrawal Symptoms after Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Discontinuation: A Systematic Review

Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are widely used in medical practice. They have been associated with a broad range of symptoms, whose clinical meaning has not been fully appreciated. Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were followed to conduct a systematic review of the literature. Titles, abstracts, and topics were searched using the following terms: 'withdrawal symptoms' OR 'withdrawal syndrome' OR 'discontinuation syndrome' OR 'discontinuation symptoms', AND 'SSRI' OR 'serotonin' OR 'antidepressant' OR 'paroxetine' OR 'fluoxetine' OR 'sertraline' OR 'fluvoxamine' OR 'citalopram' OR 'escitalopram'. The electronic research literature databases included CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, PubMed and Web-of-Science from inception of each database to July 2014. Results: There were 15 randomized controlled studies, 4 open trials, 4 retrospective investigations, and 38 case reports. The prevalence of the syndrome was variable, and its estimation was hindered by a lack of case identification in many studies. Symptoms typically occur within a few days from drug discontinuation and last a few weeks, also with gradual tapering. However, many variations are possible, including late onset and/or longer persistence of disturbances. Symptoms may be easily misidentified as signs of impending relapse. Conclusions: Clinicians need to add SSRI to the list of drugs potentially inducing withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation, together with benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other psychotropic drugs. The term 'discontinuation syndrome' that is currently used minimizes the potential vulnerabilities induced by SSRI and should be replaced by 'withdrawal syndrome'. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Hypotension following cardiac surgery associated with paroxetine and mirtazapine withdrawal

This case describes a 15-year-old patient who experienced postoperative hypotension following an elective Ross procedure for aortic stenosis/insufficiency. The patient was taking paroxetine and mirtazapine for depression which were held prior to surgery. Hypotension occurred approximately eight hours postoperatively and required vasopressor support. Upon reinitiation of antidepressant therapy, hypotension resolved and vasopressor support was discontinued. A year later the patient required conduit replacement, and antidepressant therapy was weaned off during the three weeks prior to surgery. No hypotension was observed following the second surgery. Paroxetine withdrawal has been well-documented within adult literature, but there is little information regarding mirtazapine withdrawal. Furthermore, cardiovascular effects have not been well-documented, and even less is known within the pediatric population. Withdrawal symptoms in these agents may be explained by cholinergic rebound and/or rapid decline in serum concentrations upon abrupt discontinuation. It may be reasonable to consider tapering antidepressants with short half-lives prior to elective surgery in which patients may not be able to take maintenance medications for more than 24 hours.

Acute lithium intoxication and neuroleptic malignant syndrome

A 45-year-old man was admitted to our hospital after taking an intentional overdose of 90 sustained-released lithium tablets (450 mg each). The patient was stabilized with three sessions of hemodialysis. On day 7 of his hospital stay, his serum lithium level was 0.5 mEq/L. On day 10, he developed high fever, tachypnea, muscle rigidity, rhabdomyolysis, acute renal insufficiency, mental confusion, and obtundation. His creatine kinase level was 698 IU/L, serum creatinine 3.5 mg/dl. Late-onset neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) was diagnosed. The patient died after developing acute renal failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Clinicians should be aware that lithium may cause NMS independent of other neuroleptic agents.

Focus on paroxetine

This review of paroxetine is based on Medline and PsycLit searches and a manual search of the available research literature. It aims to cover the pharmacology of this frequently prescribed SSRI antidepressant in terms of its indications, efficacy and adverse effects. Overall, paroxetine is a well-tolerated and safe first-line SSRI antidepressant with anxiolytic qualities. It has been found useful in depression, anxiety and other conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The antidepressant has some advantages over earlier tricyclic medication in terms of a lack of cardiovascular side-effects and relative safety in overdose. Cessation of use, however, is associated with withdrawal or discontinuation symptoms and patients should be counselled as to how these might be avoided. A 3- or 4-week graded withdrawal regimen, perhaps with concomitant fluoxetine to cover serotonergic discontinuation symptoms, may be advisable.

Review of sertraline in post-traumatic stress disorder

Sertraline (Zoloft trade mark, Pfizer) is a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) with proven efficacy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a serious, complex and often chronic mental illness that may follow exposure to a traumatic event. The high prevalence of traumatic events and PTSD in the general population and the resulting distress and dysfunction present a need for the systematic study of the efficacy and effectiveness of treatments for PTSD. Sertraline offers advantages over the older antidepressants, including demonstrated efficacy in PTSD, improved tolerability and low risk of lethality in overdose. Sertraline's efficacy, favourable tolerability profile and relatively weak effect on the cytochrome P450 system are factors that contribute to make it a first-line agent of choice in the treatment of PTSD.

Discontinuation symptoms: comparison of brief interruption in fluoxetine and paroxetine treatment

Abrupt interruption or cessation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment may result in discontinuation or treatment interruption symptoms. Recent reports suggested these symptoms occur more frequently with shorter half-life SSRIs. Previous studies indicated a 5-8-day treatment interruption resulted in fewer discontinuation-emergent adverse events in fluoxetine-treated patients than in paroxetine-treated patients. This study examines the effects of shorter treatment interruption (3-5 days), as would occur if patients miss just a few doses of medication. Patients successfully treated for depression with fluoxetine or paroxetine underwent treatment interruption in a double-blind fashion. Treatment interruption-emergent symptoms were assessed using the Discontinuation-Emergent Signs and Symptoms checklist. Other assessments included the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impressions-Severity scale and a social functioning questionnaire. Of 150 patients enrolled, 141 completed the study. Following treatment interruption, fluoxetine-treated patients experienced fewer treatment interruption-emergent events than did paroxetine-treated patients. The paroxetine treatment group also experienced significant increases in depressive symptoms, clinical global severity scores and difficulty in social functioning; the fluoxetine treatment group did not. These results are consistent with reports suggesting abrupt interruption of treatment with paroxetine is more often associated with somatic and psychological symptoms than is abrupt interruption of fluoxetine. Patients treated with fluoxetine appeared to be protected by its longer half-life.

Discontinuation syndrome in dysthymic patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: a clinical investigation

OBJECTIVE

Many authors have reported discontinuation symptoms associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of the discontinuation syndrome in patients who stopped treatment with the SSRIs paroxetine and fluoxetine under the usual conditions of clinical practice, and to identify clinical predictors of the syndrome.

METHODS

Ninety-seven outpatients who received an initial diagnosis of dysthymic disorder, who responded to >or=8 weeks treatment with paroxetine (n = 52) or fluoxetine (n = 45), and who discontinued the SSRI according to their psychiatrist's instructions were included. They were assessed at the time of discontinuation using a semi-structured interview for clinical and treatment characteristics, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Patients were then assessed 4 weeks later using a checklist for discontinuation symptoms, a semi-structured interview for discontinuation symptom characteristics, and the HAM-D and the MADRS.

RESULTS

A discontinuation syndrome was found in 26 patients (26.8% of our sample); of this group, 22 patients (84.6%) had received paroxetine, and 4 patients (15.4%) had received fluoxetine. The mean time at onset of symptoms was 2 days after drug discontinuation and the mean duration was 5 days. The statistical comparison between the groups with and without a discontinuation syndrome found two significant differences - a discontinuation syndrome was more common in patients treated with paroxetine and in patients with an earlier onset of dysthymic disorder. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that these two factors were related to the duration of discontinuation symptoms, while the number of symptoms was associated with three factors, including use of paroxetine, age at onset of dysthmia and female gender.

CONCLUSIONS

A discontinuation syndrome is common after treatment with SSRIs is stopped in patients with dysthymia, and it appears to be more common in patients receiving paroxetine than in those receiving fluoxetine. The syndrome is related both to drug and clinical characteristics. The features of the syndrome in patients with different Axis I diagnoses should be compared in further investigations.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation syndrome: a review

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely prescribed in the treatment of depression and anxiety, as well as obsessive-compulsive, eating, and impulse-control disorders. Paralleling their widespread use has been an increase in adverse-effect reports not noted during short-term efficacy studies. Significant among these adverse effects is SSRI discontinuation syndrome, which follows the interruption of extended treatment or a reduction in drug dosage and entails somatic and psychological symptoms. These self-limiting symptoms resolve on reintroduction of the drug and cannot be explained as a remanifestation of the original disorder. To facilitate proper diagnosis and avoid unnecessary therapeutic or diagnostic interventions, all physicians who prescribe SSRIs should become familiar with these symptoms. The most appropriate approach to therapy for discontinuation syndrome involves educating patients and reassuring them that this is a reversible condition, reinstating the original SSRI, and further slowing the rate of tapering.

Antidepressant discontinuation (withdrawal) symptoms presenting as 'stroke'

We report two patients who developed a severe discontinuation (withdrawal) reaction following stoppage of paroxetine and venlafaxine, respectively. Neurological symptoms were prominent and neither patient could walk unaided. Both patients feared they had suffered a 'stroke' and arranged an emergency medical consultation. One patient was correctly diagnosed, the antidepressant was recommenced and symptoms resolved within 24 h. Failure to recognize the reaction resulted in the other patient being referred to a neurologist, undergoing a computed tomography brain scan and an electroencephalogram and remaining symptomatic for over 8 weeks. Relevant pharmacological issues are discussed. The cases illustrate the importance of patients and clinicians being familiar with antidepressant discontinuation symptoms.

Antidepressants, old and new. A review of their adverse effects and toxicity in overdose

The newer antidepressants are as efficacious as the older agents in the treatment of depression. They have a side effect profile that is different from the older drugs and are generally better tolerated. Drug-drug interactions do exist with some of these agents and can usually be predicted from knowledge of their metabolism. When taken in overdose as the sole agents they are rarely fatal; seizures, nausea, vomiting, decreased level of consciousness, and tachycardia are common. In combination with other drugs, toxicity can be more severe. The serotonin syndrome can occur with many of these drugs, and the emergency physician must be vigilant in the evaluation of the overdose patient. CAs and older MAOIs are still in use and remain dangerous when taken in overdose. Patients asymptomatic after a period of observation in the ED usually can be discharged after psychiatric evaluation, when it is required.

The SSRI discontinuation syndrome

A characteristic selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) discontinuation syndrome appears to exist. It is usually mild, commences within 1 week of stopping treatment, resolves spontaneously within 3 weeks, and consists of diverse physical and psychological symptoms, the commonest being dizziness, nausea, lethargy and headache. SSRI reinstatement leads to resolution within 48 h. A transient stage of serotonin dysregulation appears central to causation with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences accounting for the variation in incidence between the SSRIs. Discontinuation reactions are clinically relevant due to the associated morbidity, the potential for misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment and because they may impair future antidepressant compliance. To minimize incidence, SSRIs, like other antidepressants, should be withdrawn gradually. Provisional diagnostic criteria for the SSRI discontinuation syndrome are proposed. Prospective studies are required to investigate the syndrome, particularly its effects on patient care.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Recent reports describe discontinuation-emergent adverse events upon cessation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors including dizziness, insomnia, nervousness, nausea, and agitation. We hypothesized that interruption of fluoxetine treatment would be associated with fewer discontinuation-emergent adverse events than interruption of sertraline or paroxetine treatment, based on fluoxetine's longer half-life.

METHODS

In this 4-week study, 242 patients with remitted depression receiving maintenance therapy with open-label fluoxetine, sertraline, or paroxetine for 4-24 months had their maintenance therapy interrupted with double-blind placebo substitution for 5-8 days. The Symptom Questionnaire (SQ), the Discontinuation-Emergent Signs and Symptoms checklist, the 28-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale were used to assess somatic distress and stability of antidepressant response.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty patients (91%) completed the study. Following interruption of therapy, fluoxetine-treated patients experienced fewer discontinuation-emergent events than either sertraline-treated or paroxetine-treated patients (p < .001). The mean SQ somatic symptom scale score in fluoxetine-treated patients was significantly lower than that in sertraline-treated and paroxetine-treated patients (p < .001). Fluoxetine-treated patients also experienced less reemergence of depressive symptoms than sertraline-treated or paroxetine-treated patients (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Abrupt interruption of antidepressant therapy for 5-8 days was associated with the emergence of new somatic and psychological symptoms in patients treated with paroxetine and to a lesser degree sertraline, with few symptoms seen with fluoxetine.

Fluoxetine tenth anniversary update: the progress continues

This tenth anniversary review/update of fluoxetine concentrates on the past 5 years of its clinical application. The mechanism of action of fluoxetine; its metabolism; its efficacy in patients with various diagnostic subgroups of depression, patients with coincident medical disease, children and adolescents with depression, patients with eating disorders, and patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); its long-term (maintenance) efficacy; its side effects and toxicity; and pharmacoeconomic considerations are reviewed. Pharmacotherapy is currently the only proven method for treating major depressive disorder that is applicable to all levels of severity of major depressive illness. Since its introduction 10 years ago, fluoxetine has been available to psychiatrists, primary care physicians, and other nonpsychiatric physicians as full-dose effective pharmacotherapy for patients with depression. Fluoxetine has been widely prescribed by physicians knowledgeable in pharmacology and in the treatment of depression because of its proven efficacy (ie, equal to that of tricyclic antidepressants [TCAs]), its ease of administration (with full therapeutic dosing usually starting from day 1), its generally benign side-effect profile, its remarkable safety in over-dose, and its proven effectiveness in the most common depressed patient population--anxious, agitated, depressed patients--as well as in patients with various subtypes and severities of depression. In more recent years it has also proved effective in the treatment of bulimia, an entity for which only limited or inadequate treatment options had been previously available. In OCD, fluoxetine, with its more acceptable side-effect profile and greater ease of dosing, presents a favorable alternative to previous drug therapy and is useful in treating both obsessions and compulsions. Fluoxetine is currently recognized among clinicians as efficacious in treating anxiety disorders and is being used successfully in special depressed populations such as patients with medical comorbidity, elderly patients, adolescents, and children. Rapid discontinuation or missed doses of short-half-life selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, TCAs, and heterocyclic antidepressants are associated with withdrawal symptoms of a somatic and psychological nature, which cannot only be disruptive, but can also be suggestive of relapse or recurrence of depression. In striking contrast to these short-half-life antidepressants, fluoxetine is rarely associated with such sequelae on sudden discontinuation or missed doses. This preventive effect against withdrawal symptoms on discontinuation of fluoxetine is attributed to the unique extended half-life of this antidepressant. Current studies show that the overall increased effectiveness of fluoxetine in treating depression compensates for its higher cost, compared with older drugs, by reducing the need for physician contact because of increased compliance and less need of titration, and by reducing premature patient discontinuation, thereby yielding fewer relapses, less recurrence, and less reutilization of mental health services.