[Palinopsia following discontinuation of venlafaxine]

We report for the first time on a patient suffering from palinopsia after discontinuation of venlafaxine. Palinopsia is a rare and peculiar phenomenon which is defined as visual images that persist or recur after the stimulating object is removed and is often associated with posterior cerebral lesion or dysfunction. It also has been detected after usage of serotonergic drugs or in the course of antiserotonergic pharmacotherapy. Withdrawal symptoms after cessation of treatment involving serotonergic antidepressants are widely acknowledged in the literature, but still remain underestimated in clinical practice. It seems reasonable to suggest that clinicians should be aware of the risk of discontinuation symptoms in the case of serotonergic antidepressants, especially concerning those substances with a short half-life. If a decision is made to terminate therapy, it may be necessary to gradually reduce the dose over a number of weeks or to temporarily add a serotonin reuptake inhibitor with longer half-life.