What it's used for
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Widely used at low doses for sleep
Read about: Depression, Insomnia
How it works: Blocks 5-HT2A and histamine receptors, with weak serotonin reuptake inhibition.
Common side effects
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure on standing
- Dry mouth
Tapering considerations
- Rebound insomnia is the most common problem.
- Pair with sleep strategies (CBT-I).
For prescribers & facilitators
- Rare risk of priapism.
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