There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.
From the Research
Symptoms of Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitor Withdrawal
The symptoms of MAO inhibitor withdrawal can be severe and include:
- Nausea, sweating, palpitations, nightmares, and psychosis 1
- Severe anxiety, agitation, pressured speech, sleeplessness or drowsiness, hallucinations, delirium, and paranoid psychosis 2
- Somatic and psychological symptoms, which can be mistaken for signs of a relapse into depression 3
- Myoclonic seizures after abrupt discontinuation of MAOIs and other agents 1
- Acute organic psychosis marked by visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations after abrupt discontinuation of phenelzine 4
Comparison of Withdrawal Symptoms
The withdrawal symptoms of MAOIs can be compared to those of other antidepressants, such as:
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which generally produce mild and transient symptoms 3
- Psychostimulants, which can produce similar symptoms to MAOI withdrawal 2
Special Considerations
When discontinuing MAOIs, it is essential to: