The Risks and Benefits of Going Off Antidepressant Medications

One of the main treatments for depression is antidepressants. Around 7 million U.S. adults receive medications as a depression treatment option.

These medications can help reduce depressive symptoms but can have potential side effects and withdrawal symptoms. You may find benefits of getting off antidepressants, like saving money and no longer experiencing those side effects.

However, talk to a healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of an antidepressant. Read on to learn more.

Possible Benefits of Stopping Antidepressants

Antidepressants are designed to improve a person's mood and other symptoms associated with depression, like fatigue or sleep problems. Other possible advantages might be avoiding side effects and worrying less about medication-related costs.

Avoidance of Side Effects

Everyone doesn't experience side effects when taking antidepressants. For those who do, stopping antidepressants might be beneficial if it limits or relieves any side effects.

Side effects are one of the primary reasons for discontinuing antidepressants. They can include:

• Anxiety
• Bladder problems
• Dizziness upon standing or weakness
• Dry mouth
• Excessive tiredness or increased sleepiness
• Gastrointestinal (GI) problems, like constipation or diarrhea
• Increased heart rate
• Insomnia
• Sexual dysfunction
• Suicidal thoughts
• Tremors or muscle twitching
• Weight changes
  

Also, individuals under 25, including children and teens, may be at a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts when taking antidepressants.

Less Worry About Medication Costs

People have reported wanting to stop antidepressants due to the cost. Some research participants said they couldn't continue their medication because they couldn't afford it.

One study said switching or cycling through medications is linked to higher financial costs. That means antidepressant use can also be costly if individuals have difficulty finding a medication that works or delay getting treatment.

What Are the Potential Risks?

Not taking antidepressants can come with some risks. Those risks are related to experiencing immediate physical symptoms and potential changes in your future mental health status.

Withdrawal Symptoms

If you suddenly stop or reduce your antidepressant prescription, you could experience withdrawal symptoms. All antidepressants come with potential withdrawal symptoms that increase and are more severe with prolonged antidepressant use.

Also, the half-life of a medication refers to how long it takes to reach half of the medication dosage concentration. Some antidepressants have worse withdrawal symptoms than others because of their half-lives. Severe withdrawal symptoms have been reported when people stop antidepressants with a shorter half-life, which include:

• MAO inhibitors (MAOIs), such as tranylcypromine
• Some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as paroxetine
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Collectively, antidepressant withdrawal symptoms are known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. The syndrome affects 20% of individuals and is generally not life-threatening. Still, talk to a healthcare provider if you experience any of the syndrome's symptoms, such as:

• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Feeling sad
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Nausea or vomiting

Return of Depressive Symptoms

Since the goal of antidepressants is to reduce depressive symptoms, stopping the medications could result in the return of those symptoms. This symptom reoccurrence is known as relapse. While withdrawal symptoms may happen days after stopping the medication, it may take weeks, months, or years for a possible relapse to occur.

How To Stop Medication Safely

If you want to discontinue or reduce antidepressants, consult a healthcare provider first. A provider can taper the medication gradually to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

Tapering involves decreasing an antidepressant dosage over time. You may take a lower prescription dose every one to two weeks across four weeks. The tapering process may change based on factors such as the medication's half-life.

After stopping the medication, a mental health professional can monitor your overall well-being and help treat your depression with talk therapy.

Why You Should Work With a Healthcare Provider

Other reasons exist to work with a healthcare provider beyond stopping your antidepressant medications. It's also best to talk to a provider if you are experiencing side effects, having trouble with medication costs, or don't think the medicine is working.

If you're experiencing side effects, a healthcare provider can help you manage them by advising you how and when to take them. When they do, take the medications exactly as prescribed.

The provider can also change your dosage or switch your medication. Even if you're feeling better, providers may recommend you stay on antidepressants for at least six months or longer to prevent a relapse of your previous symptoms.

A Quick Review

While antidepressants have been proven to help individuals with depression, they are not without side effects like GI issues or weight changes. Possible benefits of getting off antidepressants, like not having to experience these side effects, may be appealing.

However, it's possible for depressive symptoms to come back or for you to experience withdrawal symptoms after stopping antidepressants. It's best to talk with a healthcare provider before stopping if you want to discontinue your medication for the best course of action.