title: Characteristics of Escitalopram Discontinuation Syndrome: A Preliminary Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (ADS) frequently occurs in patients who undergo an abrupt discontinuation of their antidepressant medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 25 consecutive outpatients with depression who discontinued their use of escitalopram. The presence of ADS was evaluated according to the Antidepressants Discontinuation Syndrome checklist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome was observed in 14 of 25 patients. Frequent symptoms were dizziness (44%), muscle tension (44%), chills (44%), confusion or trouble concentrating (40%), amnesia (28%), and crying (28%). The treatment doses and plasma concentrations of escitalopram were significantly higher in patients with ADS than in patients without ADS. No group differences were observed regarding age, sex, or duration of escitalopram treatment before the discontinuation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that a higher dose and lower clearance of escitalopram lead to a higher risk of ADS. Very slow tapering is recommended for all patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yasui-Furukori
authors.forename: Kojiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Shoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsuchimine
authors.forename: Tetsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tomita
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sugawara
authors.forename: Masamichi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishioka
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015283:Citalopram