Medications commonly associated with discontinuation syndromes which require slow weaning
| Medication | Type of discontinuation syndrome | Clinical manifestations |
|---|---|---|
| α-Blockers | W, R | Agitation, headache, hypertension and palpitations |
| ACE-inhibitors | D | Heart failure and hypertension |
| Antianginal agents | D | Angina |
| Anticonvulsants | W, D | Anxiety, depression and seizures |
| Antidepressants | W, D | Akathisia, anxiety, chills, coryza, gastrointestinal distress, headache, insomnia, irritability, malaise, myalgia and depression |
| Antiparkinsonian agents | W, D, R | Hypotension, psychosis, pulmonary embolism, rigidity and tremor |
| Antipsychotic | W | Dyskinesias, insomnia, nausea and restlessness |
| Anticholinergics | W | Anxiety, nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness |
| Baclofen | W, R | Agitation, anxiety, confusion, depression, hallucinations, hypertonia, insomnia, mania, nightmares, paranoia and seizures |
| Benzodiazepines | W | Agitation, anxiety, confusion, delirium, insomnia and seizures |
| β-Blockers | W, D | Angina, anxiety, hypertension, acute coronary syndrome and tachycardia |
| Corticosteroid | W, R, D | Anorexia, hypotension, nausea, weakness, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression and inflammatory states |
| Digoxin | D | Heart failure and palpitations |
| Diuretic | D | Heart failure and hypertension |
| Narcotic analgesia | W | Abdominal cramping, anger, anxiety, chills, diaphoresis, diarrhoea, insomnia and restlessness |
| NSAIDs | D | Recurrence of gout and arthritis |
D, disease recrudescence; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; R, rebound; W, withdrawal.