Abstract
The scientific literature frequently warns that patients with bipolar disorder risk developing a (hypo)mania on starting a course of antidepressants. In this case report, however, two patients with bipolar disorder developed a (hypo)mania while their dosage of venlafaxine was being gradually tapered off. We discuss a pharmacodynamic explanation for the induction of (hypo)mania during discontinuation of venlafaxine. We also discuss alternative explanations, such as a venlafaxine withdrawal syndrome;induction of rapid cycling;difficulties in distinguishing an agitated depression and a dysphoric mania and the naturalistic course of a bipolar disorder.
| Translated title of the contribution | Development of (hypo)mania during discontinuation of venlafaxine in two patients with bipolar disorder |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Pages (from-to) | 795-800 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie |
| Volume | 55 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |