Supporting Patients Who are Ready to Stop Antidepressants-Pressing Need for More Research in Long Term Use

Volume 3 - Issue 3

Amrit Takhar¹*, Stephen Sutton² and Michael Morgan Curran³

Received: December 12, 2019;   Published: January 07, 2020

DOI: 10.32474/SJPBS.2020.03.000162

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Abstract

A substantial proportion of primary care patients are long-term users of antidepressant medication. Antidepressants are often started when patients have episodes of mild to moderate depression or mixed anxiety and depression. After a prolonged course of 2 years many patients may be ready to stop antidepressants but data shows that large numbers struggle to stop. The continuation of antidepressants long term leaves users prone to adverse effects and interactions with other medication especially in the elderly. There is limited research in the longer term use of antidepressants and in interventions to help users to stop. In an analysis of routine data from 78 urban general practices in Scotland, 8.6% (33,312/388,656) of all registered patients were prescribed an antidepressant, and 47.1% of these were defined as long-term users of >= 2 years [1].

Introduction| Why we Need More Research into How Patients Can Be Supported in Stopping Antidepressants| Review of Existing Evidence of Discontinuing Antidepressants| Potential for Research on Deprescribing Antidepressants with or without Cognitive Training| Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)| Conclusion| References|