Definition of "discontinuation" [dis•con•tin•u•a•tion]

• A cessation; a discontinuance. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Side effects included pancreatitis and shingles that resulted in discontinuation of 5-acetylsalicylic acid, leukopenia corrected by withholding 6-mercaptopurine and self-resolved hepatitis."
• "It resolved pretty easily, again, either by very short-term discontinuation and then re-initiation of treatment perhaps at a lower dose, or just lowering the dose and continuing to treat."
• "Researchers say patients should be considered on a case-by-case basis, but at least in patients where bleeding concerns do not outweigh those for stent thrombosis, short-term discontinuation of thienopyridine therapy "may be relatively safe.""