[Principles of antidepressant tapering]

Discontinuation of antidepressants can be a complex process which requires an understanding of underlying neurobiological mechanisms, withdrawal symptoms, and individual risk profiles. Current clinical guidelines provide limited details on tapering strategies. The new Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines highlight two key aspects: withdrawal symptoms occur more frequently, are more severe, and persist longer than previously recognized; and these risks can be reduced through a slow, hyperbolic tapering process. The aim of this review is to present these principles for antidepressant tapering.