The art and science of deprescribing psychiatric medications

About

This webinar will be led by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists featuring Dr Mark Horowitz and Prof David Taylor. 

The topic of how to safely stop psychiatric drugs has been relatively neglected in psychiatric teaching and guidelines. We have attempted to fill this gap with the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines. 

The major risks of stopping medication are relapse and withdrawal effects. 

Withdrawal effects from antidepressants are more common, severe and long-lasting than previously recognised. Protracted withdrawal syndromes occur in some people who have stopped psychiatric medications and can be debilitating.

Antidepressant withdrawal effects can manifest as both psychological and physical symptoms. 

Poor recognition of these effects can lead to misdiagnosis of relapse of an underlying condition or onset of a new physical or mental health condition. Tips are provided to distinguish these conditions from withdrawal effects.

The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines provides fast, moderate and slow reduction regimens for all licensed antidepressants, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids and z-drugs, as well as guidance on which formulations of medication are suitable for this approach, including ‘off-label’ options where relevant. 

It is hoped that this guidance will help prevent some of the difficulties patients have when stopping medication and thus enable rationalisation of medication regimens.

The session will provide the following learning outcomes:

• You will learn when and why to stop antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs
• You will learn how to distinguish withdrawal effects from relapse
• You will learn how to implement a safe taper in clinical practice and adjust it to the individual

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Disclaimer

This session is a member benefit of the RANZCP and for educational purposes only. The information may represent views of the author and not necessarily the views of the College. Information is subject to change and the College does not warrant that the information is current at the time of viewing and accepts no liability for any loss or damage suffered by you or a patient directly or indirectly as a result of relying on information provided and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing e-learning sessions you also agree to the RANZCP Website Terms of Use Agreement.