Stopping treatment with SNRIs

Talk with your healthcare professional before you stop taking an SNRI.

SNRIs are not considered habit-forming. But stopping antidepressant treatment suddenly or missing several doses may cause some symptoms. This is sometimes called discontinuation syndrome.

Discontinuation symptoms can include:

• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Flu-like symptoms, such as tiredness, chills and muscle aches.
• Irritability and restlessness.
• Upset stomach.
• Insomnia or sleep disturbances, such as nightmares.
• Diarrhea.

These symptoms may be more likely to happen with venlafaxine or desvenlafaxine, though they can happen when any SNRI is stopped suddenly. Work with your healthcare professional to slowly and safely lower your dose over time so you can stop the medicine safely.