Depression: How to Stop Taking an Antidepressant

For most people with depression, there comes a time when they would like to stop taking their antidepressant medicine. If that is true for you, talk to your doctor. You need to stop your medicine step by step, over time. Do not stop all at once.

People who suddenly stop taking their antidepressant often suffer from bad side effects. Sometimes their depression returns.

Things to consider

Depression is an illness that often comes back. Even after you feel completely well, you may need to keep taking your medicine. Some people need to stay on medicine for the rest of their lives.

Your doctor may want you to stay on your medicine if:

  • Your bouts of depression are coming more often.
  • You have had a mental illness in the past.
  • You have tried stopping your medicine before and your depression came back.

If any of these apply to you, you are more likely to have a relapse without your medicine.

Medicine tapering

If you and your doctor decide it is time for you to stop taking your medicine, you must do so gradually. This is called tapering. Your doctor will work out a schedule to slowly lower the amount of medicine you take over a period of weeks or months.

If you plan to stop taking your medicine, talk with your doctor first about how to do it safely. Your doctor may want you to slowly decrease your dose. Stopping antidepressants can cause side effects and may cause your depression to come back or get worse.

Your part

If you and your doctor agree that you're feeling good and are likely to stay well if you stop taking the medicine:

  • Carefully follow your doctor's tapering plan to help lower the chance that you will have a relapse. This can also help limit problems from withdrawal, such as flu-like symptoms or dizziness.
  • Watch your symptoms. Keep a symptom diary, and share it with your doctor. Your tapering plan can be changed to make sure you are comfortable.
  • Tell your doctor right away if your symptoms of depression return.