Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiscontinuation SyndromeGuidelinesManaging WithdrawalCoping and Relief

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Discontinuation Syndrome

Guidelines

Managing Withdrawal

Coping and Relief

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What is the most important information I should know about weaning off antidepressants?If you’re considering stopping your antidepressant medication:you should always talk to your doctor first; andfollow your tapering schedule and stay in contact with your doctor about withdrawal symptoms you experience.

What is the most important information I should know about weaning off antidepressants?

If you’re considering stopping your antidepressant medication:you should always talk to your doctor first; andfollow your tapering schedule and stay in contact with your doctor about withdrawal symptoms you experience.

If you’re considering stopping your antidepressant medication:

There are many reasons you may decide to stop taking antidepressants. Maybe you’re having side effects. Or maybe your condition has improved, and you no longer need medication. To be in a position where you feel ready to come off antidepressants is a good thing.

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy. Antidepressants can be notoriously difficult to quit because stopping can produce withdrawal-like symptoms called “discontinuation syndrome.”

Discontinuation symptoms are typically mild and short-lived. However, some people’s symptoms can be severe enough to impact their daily lives. By working with your doctor to gradually lower your dose over time (a process known as “tapering”), you may be able to minimize or even prevent many of these uncomfortable symptoms.

Keep reading to learn how to wean off antidepressants and what to do if you experience withdrawal symptoms during tapering.

Common Antidepressant Medications

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

Antidepressantdiscontinuation syndromeis a set of symptoms that can occur after abruptly stopping or even or greatly reducing the dose of an antidepressant medication that you’ve been continuously taking for an extended period of time, generally greater than one month.

Some estimates suggest that at least one in five people who stop taking an antidepressant abruptly experience these symptoms.

These symptoms, which are often referred to as withdrawal symptoms, usually begin within two to four days and can last for as long as one to two weeks.

Discontinuation symptoms can be grouped into six categories:

The severity of these symptoms can vary significantly. Some people have few or no symptoms when they stop their antidepressant medication, whereas others may find these symptoms extremely uncomfortable.

Discontinuation Syndrome vs. Relapse

For adults with depression who have achieved remission, the American Psychological Association recommends psychotherapy to help prevent relapse.

Timing can help you tell the difference between the two. If depression or anxiety recurs after stopping an antidepressant, it is often a gradual process that slowlyworsensover time. In contrast, symptoms related toantidepressant withdrawaltend to occur quickly (days rather than weeks) and slowlyimproveover time.

If you experience a return of mood symptoms that are worsening, talk to your doctor right way. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you experience a return of mood symptoms that are worsening, talk to your doctor right way. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Lexapro Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, & Treatment

Guidelines for Tapering Off Antidepressants

The best way to avoid or reduce these withdrawal-like symptoms is to not stop antidepressants abruptly. Specifically, the American Psychiatric Association recommends tapering antidepressants over the course of “at least several weeks.”

Because there are no drug-specific tapering recommendations, your doctor will use their clinical judgment to determine your individual tapering schedule. They will consider several factors including the antidepressant you are taking (specifically, its half-life), your current dose, and how long you have been taking it.

Thehalf-life of a drugrefers to the time at which half of the medication is eliminated from your body and half remains. In general, drugs with short half-lives require a longer tapering period compared with drugs with long half-lives.

Antidepressants with relatively short half-lives, such asEffexor (venlafaxine),Paxil (paroxetine), andZoloft (sertraline), should be tapered over a longer period than drugs with long half-lives likeProzac (fluoxetine).

Drug50% eliminated99% eliminatedProzac (fluoxetine)4 to 6 days25 daysCitalopram (citalopram)36 hours7.3 daysLexapro (escitalopram)27 to 32 hours6.1 daysZoloft (sertraline)26 hours5.4 daysPaxil (paroxetine)24 hours4.4 daysPristiq (desvenlafaxine)12 hours2.5 daysCymbalta (duloxetine)12 hours2.5 daysEffexor (venlafaxine)5 hours1 dayWellbutrin (bupropion)21 hours4.4 daysWhat If I Have Symptoms While Tapering?Remember that everyone is different when it comes toweaning offantidepressants. Some people can taper off an antidepressant—even one with a short half-life—in a matter of weeks without any significant symptoms. Others may have bothersome symptoms and require that the drug be tapered over a period of months.If you experience discontinuation symptoms during a particular dose reduction (or shortly after discontinuation), your doctor may restart you at your original dose and then taper you off more slowly. If this doesn’t work, your doctor may switch you over to a drug with a longer half-life such as Prozac.Coping and Relief While Tapering Off AntidepressantsStrategies that can help you manage symptoms as you wean off of antidepressants include:Stay active: Exercise can help boost mood and relieve stress. Research also suggests that exercise can be helpful for the prevention of depressive symptoms.Eat a balanced diet: Some research indicates that eating nutrient-rich foods and limiting dairy and gluten may be helpful.Use relaxation strategies: Consider using relaxation techniques, such as meditation, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, and yoga, to manage feelings of stress.Seek social support: Lean on your support system when you find yourself struggling with symptoms of withdrawal or other struggles you might experience as you wean off of antidepressants.How to Reduce Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms

What If I Have Symptoms While Tapering?

Remember that everyone is different when it comes toweaning offantidepressants. Some people can taper off an antidepressant—even one with a short half-life—in a matter of weeks without any significant symptoms. Others may have bothersome symptoms and require that the drug be tapered over a period of months.

If you experience discontinuation symptoms during a particular dose reduction (or shortly after discontinuation), your doctor may restart you at your original dose and then taper you off more slowly. If this doesn’t work, your doctor may switch you over to a drug with a longer half-life such as Prozac.

Coping and Relief While Tapering Off Antidepressants

Strategies that can help you manage symptoms as you wean off of antidepressants include:

How to Reduce Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms

10 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rizkalla M, Kowalkowski B, Prozialeck WC.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome: A common but underappreciated clinical problem.J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2020;120(3):174-178. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2020.030Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991Haddad PM, Anderson IM.Recognizing and managing antidepressant discontinuation symptoms.Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 2007;13(6):447-457. doi:10.1192/apt.bp.105.001966American Psychological Association.Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of depression across three age cohorts.Fava GA, Gatti A, Belaise C, Guidi J, Offidani E.Withdrawal symptoms after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation: A systematic review.Psychother Psychosom. 2015;84(2):72-81. doi:10.1159/000370338American Psychiatric Association.Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder, third edition.Keks N, Hope J, Keogh S.Switching and stopping antidepressants.Aust Prescr. 2016;39(3):76–83. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.039Warner CH, Bobo W, Warner CM, Reid S, Rachal J.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.Am Fam Physician. 2006;74(3):449-456.Hu MX, Turner D, Generaal E, et al.Exercise interventions for the prevention of depression: a systematic review of meta-analyses.BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):1255. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09323-yBrogan K, Siefert A.Successful discontinuation of chronic polypsychotropic regimen and resolution of withdrawal syndrome through nutrition and lifestyle interventions: A case report.Adv Mind Body Med. 2019;33(3):22-30Additional ReadingHarvard Health Publishing.Going off antidepressants.Renoir T.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant treatment discontinuation syndrome: a review of the clinical evidence and the possible mechanisms involved.Front Pharmacol. 2013;4:45. doi:10.3389/fphar.2013.00045

10 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rizkalla M, Kowalkowski B, Prozialeck WC.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome: A common but underappreciated clinical problem.J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2020;120(3):174-178. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2020.030Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991Haddad PM, Anderson IM.Recognizing and managing antidepressant discontinuation symptoms.Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 2007;13(6):447-457. doi:10.1192/apt.bp.105.001966American Psychological Association.Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of depression across three age cohorts.Fava GA, Gatti A, Belaise C, Guidi J, Offidani E.Withdrawal symptoms after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation: A systematic review.Psychother Psychosom. 2015;84(2):72-81. doi:10.1159/000370338American Psychiatric Association.Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder, third edition.Keks N, Hope J, Keogh S.Switching and stopping antidepressants.Aust Prescr. 2016;39(3):76–83. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.039Warner CH, Bobo W, Warner CM, Reid S, Rachal J.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.Am Fam Physician. 2006;74(3):449-456.Hu MX, Turner D, Generaal E, et al.Exercise interventions for the prevention of depression: a systematic review of meta-analyses.BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):1255. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09323-yBrogan K, Siefert A.Successful discontinuation of chronic polypsychotropic regimen and resolution of withdrawal syndrome through nutrition and lifestyle interventions: A case report.Adv Mind Body Med. 2019;33(3):22-30Additional ReadingHarvard Health Publishing.Going off antidepressants.Renoir T.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant treatment discontinuation syndrome: a review of the clinical evidence and the possible mechanisms involved.Front Pharmacol. 2013;4:45. doi:10.3389/fphar.2013.00045

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rizkalla M, Kowalkowski B, Prozialeck WC.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome: A common but underappreciated clinical problem.J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2020;120(3):174-178. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2020.030Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991Haddad PM, Anderson IM.Recognizing and managing antidepressant discontinuation symptoms.Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 2007;13(6):447-457. doi:10.1192/apt.bp.105.001966American Psychological Association.Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of depression across three age cohorts.Fava GA, Gatti A, Belaise C, Guidi J, Offidani E.Withdrawal symptoms after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation: A systematic review.Psychother Psychosom. 2015;84(2):72-81. doi:10.1159/000370338American Psychiatric Association.Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder, third edition.Keks N, Hope J, Keogh S.Switching and stopping antidepressants.Aust Prescr. 2016;39(3):76–83. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.039Warner CH, Bobo W, Warner CM, Reid S, Rachal J.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.Am Fam Physician. 2006;74(3):449-456.Hu MX, Turner D, Generaal E, et al.Exercise interventions for the prevention of depression: a systematic review of meta-analyses.BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):1255. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09323-yBrogan K, Siefert A.Successful discontinuation of chronic polypsychotropic regimen and resolution of withdrawal syndrome through nutrition and lifestyle interventions: A case report.Adv Mind Body Med. 2019;33(3):22-30

Rizkalla M, Kowalkowski B, Prozialeck WC.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome: A common but underappreciated clinical problem.J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2020;120(3):174-178. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2020.030

Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991

Haddad PM, Anderson IM.Recognizing and managing antidepressant discontinuation symptoms.Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 2007;13(6):447-457. doi:10.1192/apt.bp.105.001966

American Psychological Association.Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of depression across three age cohorts.

Fava GA, Gatti A, Belaise C, Guidi J, Offidani E.Withdrawal symptoms after selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation: A systematic review.Psychother Psychosom. 2015;84(2):72-81. doi:10.1159/000370338

American Psychiatric Association.Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder, third edition.

Keks N, Hope J, Keogh S.Switching and stopping antidepressants.Aust Prescr. 2016;39(3):76–83. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.039

Warner CH, Bobo W, Warner CM, Reid S, Rachal J.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.Am Fam Physician. 2006;74(3):449-456.

Hu MX, Turner D, Generaal E, et al.Exercise interventions for the prevention of depression: a systematic review of meta-analyses.BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):1255. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09323-y

Brogan K, Siefert A.Successful discontinuation of chronic polypsychotropic regimen and resolution of withdrawal syndrome through nutrition and lifestyle interventions: A case report.Adv Mind Body Med. 2019;33(3):22-30

Harvard Health Publishing.Going off antidepressants.Renoir T.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant treatment discontinuation syndrome: a review of the clinical evidence and the possible mechanisms involved.Front Pharmacol. 2013;4:45. doi:10.3389/fphar.2013.00045

Harvard Health Publishing.Going off antidepressants.

Renoir T.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant treatment discontinuation syndrome: a review of the clinical evidence and the possible mechanisms involved.Front Pharmacol. 2013;4:45. doi:10.3389/fphar.2013.00045

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