Medication discontinuation in panic disorder

Abstract

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.