Prime Highlights
- A major review shows that slowly reducing antidepressant doses along with ongoing therapy can be as effective as staying on medication.
- The findings give hope to patients who want to stop long-term antidepressant use without increasing their risk of relapse.
Key Facts
- The review analysed 76 clinical trialswith over 17,000 participants, making it one of the most comprehensive studies on antidepressant withdrawal.
- Slow tapering over more than four weeks, combined with psychological support, may prevent 1 in 5 patientsfrom relapsing compared to stopping suddenly.
Background:
A new international study suggests that slowly lowering antidepressant doses while continuing therapy may help patients stop the medication safely and reduce the risk of their symptoms returning.
The findings come as antidepressant use continues to rise across Europe, where many people remain on medication far longer than the recommended post-recovery period of six to nine months. Concerns over relapse and the burden of long-term side effects, including sexual dysfunction and emotional blunting, often keep patients from attempting to discontinue these drugs.
The comprehensive review, led by researchers in France and Italy and published this week in The Lancet Psychiatry, examined 76 randomised trials involving more than 17,000 participants. The analysis concluded that slow tapering, defined as reducing dosage over more than four weeks, and ideally 12 weeks or longer, combined with continued psychotherapy, was as effective as staying on antidepressants during the first year after discontinuation.
Giovanni Ostuzzi, lead author and professor at the University of Verona, noted that the findings may help reshape global approaches to antidepressant withdrawal. “For many patients, coming off antidepressants is possible, but it must be carefully planned with specialists and tailored to individual needs,” he said during a press briefing.
Researchers highlighted that psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based approaches can provide valuable support for those wishing to stop medication, even over short periods.
The review also underscored certain limitations. Evidence relating to anxiety disorders was less extensive, with only around 20 percent of the trials focusing on anxiety compared with the majority centred on depression. Independent experts cautioned that, despite the promising results, the proven long-term protection offered by maintenance antidepressant treatment should not be overlooked.
Sameer Jauhar, clinical associate professor at Imperial College London, pointed out that many individuals with a history of depression face a significant risk of relapse. “Supportive tapering can work for some, but many patients still require ongoing medication,” he said.
Even so, the study offers renewed optimism for those who feel ready to explore life beyond antidepressants, underscoring the need for personalised plans and scalable psychological support across health systems.
