Nederlands (Nederland)
Personalized phasing out of antidepressants
Together for responsible adviceAntidepressants often used for moreÂ
than 1 year of treatment
In the Netherlands, more than 150,000 people with depression take antidepressants
for more than a year. Although many patients benefit, long-term use can also have disadvantages1. Â When the medication starts working, people want to know when and how to stop it safely, while minimising the risk
of relapse. Reducing or stopping medication should always be done in close consultation between the pharmacist, the doctor and the patient. It should always be a topic of conversation to stop taking antidepressants
Stopping antidepressants is not something that patients can do on their own. Proper guidance is always needed to ensure that tapering is done responsibly. It is therefore important that the use of antidepressants is a regular topic of discussion during antidepressant treatment. Tapering options should be discussed as early as 7 months after starting treatment2Â .Multidisciplinary documentÂ
"Phasing out SSRI & SNRI"
The multidisciplinary document "Phasing out SSRI & SNRI" is a good guide to phasing out antidepressants gradually and responsibly, but together.The recommendations from this multidisciplinary document4 are set out below:
- Abruptly stopping a SSRI or SNRI is not recommended
- Information and guidance before and during the phasing-out period is crucial
- Work together to determine the pace and steps of phasing out process
Advise on responsible phasing out antidepressants together
- Choose a therapy that is preferably reimbursed by your health insurance
- Consider tablets with an MGA release profile. These allow incremental dosing without changing the release profile
- Establish a clear and understandable phasing-out plan with the patient to guide them through the process
- The use of a week's supply of medication can help the patient to take their medication
Online toolkit
Overview of materials
Provide guidance on responsible consulting
Multidisciplinary document
The multidisciplinary document "Phasing Out SSRI & SNRI" is a good guide to phasing out antidepressants.
Phase-out schedules
Our online toolkit includes details on reimbursement, risk factors, and phase-out schedules.
Media
The fact that the withdrawal of antidepressants is a much-discussed and much-heard topic is evidenced by the fact that several media outlets are covering it. Below is a selection of videos you can watch.Nieuwsuur -
NOS
"Phasing out antidepressants often fails, but that must change now"
Pointer -
KRO - NCRV
"Who will help us get rid of the pills?"
Spraakmakers -
NPO Radio 1
"What about antidepressants?"
Medicijnjournaal -
IVM
FTO material available from IVM
References:
1 ZonMw, OPERA: grote trial brengt veilig afbouwen antidepressiva dichterbij, nov 2018
2Â nhg-standaard-depressie-tweede-herziening.
3 In de Praktische toelichting op multidisciplinair document ‘Afbouwen SSRI’s & SNRI’s’Â
4 Een selectie van de aanbevelingen uit het Multidisciplinair document ‘Afbouwen SSRI’s & SNRI’s’
1 ZonMw, OPERA: grote trial brengt veilig afbouwen antidepressiva dichterbij, nov 2018
2Â nhg-standaard-depressie-tweede-herziening.
3 In de Praktische toelichting op multidisciplinair document ‘Afbouwen SSRI’s & SNRI’s’Â
4 Een selectie van de aanbevelingen uit het Multidisciplinair document ‘Afbouwen SSRI’s & SNRI’s’
Let us know how we can better meet your needs and those of your patients.
Antidepressants often used for moreÂ
than 1 year of treatment
In the Netherlands, more than 150,000 people with depression take antidepressants
for more than a year. Although many patients benefit, long-term use can also have disadvantages1. Â When the medication starts working, people want to know when and how to stop it safely, while minimising the risk
of relapse. Reducing or stopping medication should always be done in close consultation between the pharmacist, the doctor and the patient. Online toolkit
Overview of materials
Provide guidance on responsible consulting
Multidisciplinary document
The multidisciplinary document "Phasing Out SSRI & SNRI" is a good guide to phasing out antidepressants.Phase-out schedules
Our online toolkit includes details on reimbursement, risk factors, and phase-out schedules.
It should always be a topic of conversation to stop taking antidepressants
Stopping antidepressants is not something that patients can do on their own. Proper guidance is always needed to ensure that tapering is done responsibly. It is therefore important that the use of antidepressants is a regular topic of discussion during antidepressant treatment. Tapering options should be discussed as early as 7 months after starting treatment2Â .Multidisciplinary documentÂ
"Phasing out SSRI & SNRI"
The multidisciplinary document "Phasing out SSRI & SNRI" is a good guide to phasing out antidepressants gradually and responsibly, but together.The recommendations from this multidisciplinary document4 are set out below:
- Abruptly stopping a SSRI or SNRI is not recommended
- Information and guidance before and during the phasing-out period is crucial
- Work together to determine the pace and steps of phasing out process
Advise on responsible phasing out antidepressants together
- Choose a therapy that is preferably reimbursed by your health insurance
- Consider tablets with an MGA release profile. These allow incremental dosing without changing the release profile
- Establish a clear and understandable phasing-out plan with the patient to guide them through the process
- The use of a week's supply of medication can help the patient to take their medication
Media
The fact that the withdrawal of antidepressants is a much-discussed and much-heard topic is evidenced by the fact that several media outlets are covering it. Below is a selection of videos you can watch.Nieuwsuur -
NOS
"Phasing out antidepressants often fails, but that must change now"
Pointer -
KRO - NCRV
"Who will help us get rid of the pills?"
Spraakmakers -
NPO Radio 1
"What about antidepressants?"
Medicijnjournaal -
IVM
FTO material available from IVM
References:
1 ZonMw, OPERA: grote trial brengt veilig afbouwen antidepressiva dichterbij, nov 2018
2Â nhg-standaard-depressie-tweede-herziening.
3 In de Praktische toelichting op multidisciplinair document ‘Afbouwen SSRI’s & SNRI’s’Â
4 Een selectie van de aanbevelingen uit het Multidisciplinair document ‘Afbouwen SSRI’s & SNRI’s’
1 ZonMw, OPERA: grote trial brengt veilig afbouwen antidepressiva dichterbij, nov 2018
2Â nhg-standaard-depressie-tweede-herziening.
3 In de Praktische toelichting op multidisciplinair document ‘Afbouwen SSRI’s & SNRI’s’Â
4 Een selectie van de aanbevelingen uit het Multidisciplinair document ‘Afbouwen SSRI’s & SNRI’s’