# Prolonged Discontinuation Syndrome of Venlafaxine: A Case Study of Severe Gastrointestinal Manifestations

## TL;DR

A 26-year-old woman experienced severe gastrointestinal issues after stopping venlafaxine, highlighting the risk of prolonged discontinuation syndrome.

## Contribution

This case study presents a rare and severe example of venlafaxine discontinuation syndrome with gastrointestinal manifestations.

## Key findings

- The patient developed severe gastrointestinal symptoms after discontinuing venlafaxine.
- Medical evaluations found no physical cause for the symptoms, suggesting a prolonged discontinuation syndrome.
- Symptoms improved with the initiation of mirtazapine.

## Abstract

This case report describes a 26-year-old female with a history of childhood depression who experienced severe gastrointestinal symptoms and significant weight loss following the discontinuation of venlafaxine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). After tapering off the medication, days after cessation, she developed early satiety, nausea, bloating, and vomiting, leading to severe malnutrition with a body mass index (BMI) of 14. Despite the onset of symptoms being within the typical duration for discontinuation syndrome, extensive medical evaluations revealed no physical cause for her symptoms. Psychological assessment showed no current depression or anxiety, and she denied any eating disorder behaviors, suggesting a prolonged discontinuation syndrome. Her symptoms improved with the initiation of mirtazapine. This case underscores the importance of careful management when discontinuing venlafaxine, highlighting the potential for prolonged and severe discontinuation symptoms.