Absetzen von Antidepressiva und Antipsychotika

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Contributors

Abstract

Summary: Antidepressants and antipsychotics are frequently prescribed medications. Discontinuing these drugs can have various effects: (1) usually mild withdrawal symptoms that resolve quickly; (2) recurrence of the disorder due to the absence of the medication‘s effect; and (3) rebound, in which the disease returns more quickly, more severely, or with a higher probability after discontinuation of the drug. The particularly significant risk of rebound is a reason to carefully consider the indication for initiating antidepressant or antipsychotic medication. For instance, mild to moderate depression can be treated in accordance with guidelines without pharmacotherapy. Antidepressants with a high risk of withdrawal symptoms include monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, paroxetine, and venlafaxine. Antidepressants and antipsychotics should generally be tapered off gradually over a period of at least several weeks. Initially, larger dose reductions can be made, while in the low-dose range, the reductions should be as small as possible. Patients must be informed about the risks of withdrawal and potential rebound phenomena at the beginning of treatment with antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Translated title of the contribution
Discontinuing antidepressant and antipsychotic medication

Details

Original languageGerman
Pages (from-to)594-602
Number of pages9
JournalGynakologische Praxis
Volume52
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-9976-6601/work/200631667

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • antidepressants, antipsychotics, neuroleptics, rebound, relapse, withdrawal symptoms