OBJECTIVE:

The rate of adverse events following discontinuation of treatment with extended-release venlafaxine was compared with the rate associated with discontinuation of placebo administration.

METHOD:

The subjects were 20 outpatients with major depressive disorder who had participated in a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of the new extended-release formulation of venlafaxine.

RESULTS:

During the 3 days after discontinuation of treatment with the study drug, seven (78%) of the nine venlafaxine-treated subjects and two (22%) of the nine placebo-treated patients reported the emergence of adverse events, a statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest that clinicians discontinuing venlafaxine treatment should consider tapering the medication dose gradually.