Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome refers to withdrawal symptoms lasting weeks to months after the initial discontinuation.
Synonym: Postacute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Duration: weeks to months or even years
Severity of symptoms: mild to severe
Pattern: constant or fluctuating
Symptoms may include:
(1) somatic (headache, fatigue, myalgia, tremor, other)
(2) affective (anxiety, depression, agitation, other)
(3) sleep problems
(4) cognitive impairment
(5) cravings
Protracted withdrawal can be seen with:
(1) benzodiazepines
(2) opiates (morphine, heroin, other)
(3) antidepressants
(4) cocaine
(5) ethanol
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Toxicology, Pharmacology, clinical
