You know that taking too much medication is dangerous. But did you realize that abruptly stopping a medication after taking it regularly can be just as dangerous?
The form of withdrawal that many people have heard about is alcohol withdrawal. It can cause serious reactions like headache, cloudy thoughts, agitation, loss of appetite, shakes, sweating and even seizures. What you may not know is that some routine medications can cause these same uncomfortable, unsafe, and unsettling side effects if you suddenly stop taking them.
Below, you will find some examples of these medications. This is not an all-inclusive list, but will give you a good idea of those that can result in dangerous side effects if you stop taking them too suddenly.
Of course, no matter which medications you take regularly, you should always ask your doctor before you stop taking them.
Examples of Medications and Their Associated Withdrawal Effects
| Medication Name(s) | Withdrawal Effects |
| Amphetamines
Examples: dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin) |
Depression, sluggishness, changes in heart rhythm |
| Antidepressants- SSRIs
Examples: fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, shaking, fatigue, trouble sleeping, vivid dreams, anxiety, irritability, confusion, difficulty concentrating |
| Antipsychotics
Examples: quetiapine (Seroquel), clozapine (Clozaril) |
Nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, lightheadedness, excessive sweating, headache, diarrhea, anger |
| Benzodiazepines
Examples: lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax) |
Anxiety, fever, vomiting, seizures |
| Beta-blockers
Examples: Metoprolol (Toprol XL), atenolol |
Increased heart rate, chest pain, heart attack |
| Clonidine | Quickly increased heart rate and blood pressure, shaking |
| Muscle Relaxants
Examples: Baclofen, Carisoprodol (Soma) |
Baclofen: Fever, agitation, seizures, muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney damageCarisoprodol: Difficulty sleeping, vomiting, headache, shaking, losing balance, hallucinations |
| Opioid Pain Killers
Examples: Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco), oxycodone (Oxycontin) |
Runny nose, goose bumps, diarrhea, nausea, trouble sleeping, yawning, agitation |
| Corticosteroids
Examples: prednisone, dexamethasone |
Fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, dizziness when standing up, craving salty foods, low blood pressure, shock |
Bonus medication: while they do not technically cause a withdrawal effect, stopping antibiotics before you have finished the course can result in other problems for your health: rebound infection and antibiotic resistance, which means the medicine may not work the next time. Antibiotic examples include amoxicillin and azithromycin (Zithromax).
Remember, if you think your medications are causing unwanted side effects or are just not working, talk to your doctor or pharmacist ASAP.
If you think that you or someone you know is having an adverse reaction to a medication, call the Illinois Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. We have trained pharmacists, physicians and nurses who can help. Visit the IPC website for more tips on medication safety.
