title: Drug discontinuation effects are part of the pharmacology of a drug.
abstract: Most reviews of drug withdrawal effects focus on drugs of potential abuse such as opioids, benzodiazepines, etc. Abrupt discontinuation of many other drugs used in medicine cause withdrawal syndromes, some of which can be fatal. Discontinuation of a number of cardiovascular drugs can increase risk of cardiovascular events above that of people not taking these drugs. These include β-adrenergic receptor antagonists, aspirin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), and heparin. Rebound hypertension occurs after abrupt cessation of many antihypertensive drugs. The possibility of discontinuation syndromes has usually been neglected until adverse clinical events force them to be noticed. Attention to the possibility of drug discontinuation effects is an important part of drug safety evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA. mmreid@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Marcus M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Reidenberg
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D001363:Awards and Prizes; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin