Antipsychotic withdrawal phenomena in the medical-surgical setting

The literature describing nondyskinetic antipsychotic withdrawal symptoms is reviewed. The withdrawal of antipsychotic agents can result in nausea, emesis, anorexia, diarrhea, rhinorrhea, diaphoresis, myalgias, paresthesias, anxiety, agitation, restlessness, and insomnia. Psychotic relapse is often presaged by increased anxiety, agitation, restlessness, and insomnia. However, the temporal relationship of these prodromal symptoms to reduction in the dosage or discontinuation of neuroleptics distinguishes them from the effects of abrupt withdrawal.