Antidepressant treatment - missed or extra doses and the risks associated with stopping an antidepressant

antidepressant treatment - missed or extra doses and the risks associated with stopping an antidepressant

• management of missed or extra doses and the risks associated with stopping an antidepressant (1)
  • patient advice re: missed or extra doses (2)
    • is important not to miss any of your doses, as this could make your treatment less effective
      
      
    • it is possible to get withdrawal symptoms as a result of missing a dose of the medicine
      
      
    • if a single dose is missed
      • then skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time
      • do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed
        
        
    • if you take more tablets than prescribed, contact your GP or NHS 111 as soon as possible for advice
      
      
  • patient advice re:stopping antidepressants
    • it is important to talk to your doctor before you stop taking antidepressants - also it is important that you do not stop taking antidepressants suddenly
      
      
    • once you're ready to come off antidepressants, your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks - or longer, if you have been taking them for a long time
      
      
      • this is to help prevent any withdrawal symptoms you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine. These include:
        • restlessness
        • trouble sleeping
        • unsteadiness
        • sweating
        • stomach problems
        • feeling as if there's an electric shock in your head
        • feeling irritable, anxious or confused
          
          
    • in general, withdrawal symptoms are mild and get better on their own
      • however, some people have withdrawal symptoms that are severe and last for several months or more
        
        
    • coming off antidepressants too soon can cause your condition to return
      • stopping before you have been taking them for 4 weeks may mean the medicine has not had a chance to work

Reference:

1. NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (February 2023). Monitoring a person during and after antidepressant switching
2. NHS Advice (accessed February 21st 2023). Antidepressant treatment - missed doses or stopping treatment