Medication discontinuation in panic disorder.
This paper addresses current issues associated with medication discontinuation in panic disorder, with specific focus on one of the most frequently used medication classes for this indication, the benzodiazepines. The majority of patients, when slowly tapered, are able to discontinue the benzodiazepines without a great deal of difficulty, particularly after short-term therapy. Patients treated with long-term therapy at high therapeutic doses may experience greater difficulty with discontinuation. If patients are adequately prepared and if discontinuation is conducted slowly and gradually, discontinuation symptoms, if they occur, are transient, mild to moderate, and generally tolerable. However, return of the original condition (relapse) during discontinuation can greatly complicate clinical management.
Ballenger
J C
JC
Institute of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
Pecknold
J
J
Rickels
K
K
Sellers
E M
EM
D000525:Alprazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*
D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000525:Alprazolam