How To “Deprescribe” From Medication

By: Jadon Webb, M.D., Ph.D.

Modern medications have changed countless lives and enabled us to combat diseases that would have been disabling just a few years ago. Treatments for severe depression, generalized anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and now even misophonia are being made possible by the amazing new medications and other treatments we can now offer.

But, just because you needed medication once does not always mean you need it forever! It is just as important to recognize when to start a medication as it is to know when to stop it. Yet, almost all medical training is geared towards starting or adding on medications, not stopping them. This should not be!

Psychiatric medications can have powerful effects (and side effects), and should not be taken “just because”. There should always be a good reason, and if that reason fades away, it may be time to consider reducing or stopping. 

Bloom proudly supports the mission of deprescribing organizations such as the US Deprescribing Research Network. We are not affiliated with them, but have joined as members, and seek to practice according to these scientific principles that guide when and how to safely reduce unneeded medication use. 

They have a section with information for patients on deprescribing fromcertain medications, found here: https://deprescribingresearch.org/for-patients/

They also help advise clinicians on how to help taper off of medications, including antidepressants and other medications common used as help for depression, anxiety, and other common disorders. 

Helping patients live clean, natural, safe lives is the right thing to do. Part of this is having an eye out for ways to help deprescribe from medications that are no longer needed, and learning from those who have a similar vision! 

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