title: Mechanisms of the development of trazodone withdrawal symptoms.
abstract: Three cases developed withdrawal symptoms of trazodone despite gradual discontinuation of therapeutic doses of the drug. This report suggests that effects of trazodone and its metabolite m-chlorophenylpiperazine on the serotonergic system, which may result in noradrenergic rebound after discontinuation, and short half-lives of these compounds are involved in the development of these symptoms. From a clinical point of view, we suggest that trazodone should be tapered off at a very slow rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Hirosaki University Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otani
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yasui
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fukushima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014196:Trazodone / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D014196:Trazodone