A new study has found that about one in six people who stop taking antidepressants may experience withdrawal symptoms, also called discontinuation symptoms. These symptoms can include dizziness, headaches, nausea, trouble sleeping, and irritability.
The research, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, analyzed data from 79 different studies involving over 21,000 patients. Scientists from Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Virginia conducted the study to better understand what happens when people stop taking these medications.
Their findings showed that around 15% of people who stopped using antidepressants reported at least one withdrawal symptom. For most, the symptoms were mild, but about 3% experienced severe symptoms that sometimes led them to restart their medication or drop out of the study.
Dr. Jonathan Henssler from Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin explains that while antidepressants can be helpful for many people, they do not work for everyone and can cause unpleasant side effects. “It’s important for both doctors and patients to be aware of the possible withdrawal symptoms when stopping antidepressants,” he says. “For some, these symptoms can be difficult to manage.”
Antidepressants are commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety. Some people take them for months or years, often alongside therapy or other treatments. However, when patients decide to stop, they need to do so carefully to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms. Dr. Henssler stresses that patients should always consult their doctor before stopping medication.
In the past, some studies suggested that more than half of patients experience withdrawal symptoms, sometimes severe ones. However, many of these earlier studies were based on observations rather than controlled trials. This new study used a more reliable method—randomized controlled trials (RCTs)—to provide a clearer picture.
In these trials, some patients were given a placebo (a pill with no active drug) while others were given antidepressants. This allowed researchers to separate real withdrawal symptoms from those caused by patient expectations, a phenomenon called the “nocebo effect.”
The results showed that about 31% of people stopping antidepressants experienced at least one symptom, but 17% of those stopping a placebo also reported similar symptoms. This suggests that nearly half of reported withdrawal symptoms may not be caused by the medication itself.
The study also found that some antidepressants were more likely to cause severe withdrawal symptoms than others. Medications like imipramine (Tofranil), paroxetine (Seroxat), and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) were linked to a higher risk of severe symptoms.
One unexpected finding was that there was no clear difference between stopping antidepressants suddenly and gradually tapering off.
However, the researchers caution that more studies are needed to determine the best way to stop taking these medications. Other research suggests that slowly reducing the dose over time may help minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Christopher Baethge from the University of Cologne emphasizes the importance of accurate information and proper medical support when discontinuing antidepressants. “Patients need evidence-based guidance from their doctors,” he says. “Withdrawal symptoms are common, but they should be managed carefully to avoid unnecessary suffering.”
This study provides reassurance that while withdrawal symptoms can happen, they are not as widespread or severe as previously thought.
It also highlights the need for further research on the best ways to discontinue antidepressants safely. Patients considering stopping their medication should work closely with their doctors to ensure a smooth and manageable transition.
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