Incidence of antidepressant withdrawal reactions: A prospective longitudinal cohort study in primary care patients

Background: The incidence of antidepressant withdrawal reactions in longer-term users and the influence of dosage is insufficiently understood. Objectives: Informed by neuropharmacological models and user surveys, this study examined symptom change during tapering and if increases were specifically associated with reductions below 75% of the minimum effective dose. Design: This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study with seven assessments over six months. Methods: Altogether 32 Swiss adult primary care patients who were on antidepressants for at least six months and in stable remission were assessed at baseline (week 0) before they started tapering and after 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, and 26 weeks