ABSTRACT

Venlafaxine is a non-tricyclic antidepressant which inhibits the re-uptake of serotonin, noradrenalin and dopamine. Venlafaxine is reportedly effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in childhood and adolescence. Symptoms of withdrawal have been reported in many of the psychotropic medications. In this article, a withdrawal syndrome developing after the discontinuation of venlafaxine treatment in a 16-year-old adolescent, who was diagnosed to have major depression is reported. Symptoms of withdrawal developed only after the cessation of venlafaxine treatment in the present case who were treated with sertraline and venlafaxine, respectively in the treatment process. Adolescents and their parents should be informed about not ceasing the antidepressant treatment abruptly in order to avoid the withdrawal syndromes due to antidepressant drugs.