CONCLUSION: Integrating and comparing scientific knowledge on discontinuation of different classes of psychotropic medications provides patients and professionals with guidance to make informed decisions about discontinuation and identifies knowledge gaps. There is a need for research on the role of pharmacotherapeutic tapering schedules and supportive psychological interventions, focusing on patient-relevant outcome measures (such as social functioning).

Sudden cessation of the drug can cause withdrawal syndrome, discontinuation syndrome, or rebound effect. The common feature of these phenomena is a quick onset, usually limited duration depending on the drug's half-life and remission after restarting the therapy. They are characterized by varying clusters of somatic, autonomic, and psychiatric symptoms. Originally withdrawal syndrome was described for drugs with addictive properties such as barbiturates or benzodiazepines. On the other hand...

Maternal antidepressant use has increased during the past 2 decades, with venlafaxine emerging as a common agent during pregnancy. Both venlafaxine and its active metabolite possess prolonged half-lives in adults; however, abrupt discontinuation may lead to withdrawal including irritability, jitteriness, lethargy, restlessness, and insomnia. The drug and its metabolite readily cross the placenta, posing additional considerations during pregnancy. Two neonates were admitted to our hospital on 5...

Brugada syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, classified as an autosomal dominant inherited cardiac sodium channelopathy. It is associated with a high incidence of syncope and sudden death due to ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation in patients with structurally normal hearts. This report presents the case of a 33-year-old male who experienced recurrent syncopal episodes over the course of a year. The episodes resembled seizure activity, with associated memory loss of the events...