What it's used for
- Depression
- Generalised anxiety & panic disorder
- OCD
- PTSD
- Social anxiety
Read about: Depression, Persistent depressive disorder, Perinatal & postnatal depression, Seasonal affective disorder, Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, Generalised anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, Social anxiety disorder, Health anxiety, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Complex PTSD
How it works: Blocks the serotonin transporter so more serotonin stays available between nerve cells.
Common side effects
- Nausea and stomach upset
- Sleep changes
- Sexual side effects
- Headache
- Sweating
Tapering considerations
- Liquid concentrate makes small final doses easier.
- Final steps below 25 mg often need the most time.
For prescribers & facilitators
- Hyperbolic reductions (e.g. ~10% of current dose every 2–4 weeks) are described in the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines.
- Distinguish withdrawal (onset within days, new symptoms like dizziness/zaps) from relapse.
Sources
- 01Incidence of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Henssler et al., The Lancet Psychiatry, 2024
- 02Tapering of SSRI treatment to mitigate withdrawal symptoms
Horowitz & Taylor, The Lancet Psychiatry, 2019
- 03A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects
Davies & Read, Addictive Behaviors, 2019
- 04
- 05Stopping antidepressants
Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2020
- 06Newer-generation antidepressants and withdrawal effects: reconsidering the role of antidepressants and helping patients to stop
Hengartner, Davies & Read, Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, 2020
- 07Approaches for discontinuation versus continuation of long-term antidepressant use
Van Leeuwen et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021
- 08The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
Horowitz & Taylor, Wiley-Blackwell, 2024