Stopping treatment with MAOIs

Talk to your doctor before you stop taking an MAOI. Stopping treatment with MAOIs has been associated with anxiety, agitation and insomnia, as well as flu-like symptoms such as sweating, chills, nausea, headache and feeling generally unwell (malaise).

If you stop an MAOI suddenly, you're more likely to experience a withdrawal-type reaction, sometimes called discontinuation syndrome. Rarely, uncommon withdrawal symptoms such as confusion, detachment from reality (psychosis) and convulsions can occur.

You may need to wait two or more weeks between the use of MAOIs and other antidepressants to avoid serotonin syndrome. During those two weeks, you should continue food and beverage restrictions and avoid taking drugs that can cause serious interactions with MAOIs.

Work with your doctor to gradually and safely decrease your dose.