Discontinuing Antidepressant Medications

By Giovanni A. Fava

One in six people in the US is currently taking psychotropic drugs. In 80% of cases, the medication is taken for long-term use and predominantly involves new-generation antidepressants, such as SSRIs (e.g. paroxetine) and SNRIs (e.g. venlafaxine). When patients want to stop taking these drugs and/or their physicians decide it is time for them to stop, substantial problems often can ensue. About 50% of patients experience withdrawal symptoms that do not necessarily subside after a few days or weeks and may be severe and threatening. Physicians often do not know what to do in these situations. As a result, patients experiencing the anguish and mental pain of withdrawal syndromes are unlikely to receive appropriate medical attention.

Discontinuing antidepressants is a highly technical challenge that requires specific strategies. This handbook guides clinicians through each clinical step (assessment; what the counter-indications would be for stopping or continuing; and how discontinuation can best be achieved). It provides a detailed account of the assessment and management strategies, with many case illustrations and clinical examples, drawing from the literature that is available and the extensive personal experience of the author.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192896644
• ISBN13: 9780192896643
• Release Date: January 2022
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.6" x 8.8"