Page 18 - Depression in adults: treatment and management
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Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222)
• the importance of following instructions on how to take antidepressant medication
(for example, time of day, interactions with other medicines and alcohol)
• why regular monitoring is needed, and how often they will need to attend for review
• how they can self-monitor their symptoms, and how this may help them feel involved in
their own recovery
• that treatment might need to be taken for at least 6 months after the remission of
symptoms, but should be reviewed regularly
• how some side effects may persist throughout treatment
• withdrawal symptoms and how these withdrawal effects can be minimised (see also
the recommendations on stopping antidepressant medication). [2022] [2022]
1.4.12 For further advice on safe prescribing of antidepressants, see the NICE
guideline on medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms:
safe prescribing and withdrawal management for adults. For further advice on
the safe and effective use of medicines for people taking 1 or more medicines,
see the NICE guideline on medicines optimisation. [2022] [2022]
Stopping antidepressant medication Stopping antidepressant medication
1.4.13 Advise people taking antidepressant medication to talk with the person who
prescribed their medication (for example, their primary healthcare or mental
health professional) if they want to stop taking it. Explain that it is usually
necessary to reduce the dose in stages over time (called 'tapering') but that most
people stop antidepressants successfully. [2022] [2022]
1.4.14 Advise people taking antidepressant medication that if they stop taking it
abruptly, miss doses or do not take a full dose, they may have withdrawal
symptoms. Also advise them that withdrawal symptoms do not affect everyone,
and can vary in type and severity between individuals. Symptoms may include:
• unsteadiness, vertigo or dizziness
• altered sensations (for example, electric shock sensations)
• altered feelings (for example, irritability, anxiety, low mood tearfulness, panic attacks,
irrational fears, confusion, or very rarely suicidal thoughts)
© NICE 2022. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights (https://www.nice.org.uk/terms-and- Page 18 of
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