December 10, 2025

What is the best way to come off antidepressants? A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Antidepressants are an effective treatment for moderate to severe depression and anxiety. Once patients are better, they may choose to stop taking their antidepressant and it’s important this is done safely and in a way to best reduce the risk of relapse. In the most comprehensive network meta-analysis to date, researchers from Italy have carried out a review of trials comparing different antidepressant discontinuation strategies and how effective they are in preventing relapse of the illness. These strategies include abrupt discontinuation, short vs. long tapering strategies, and dose reduction, which took place with or without psychological support. They look at data from 76 trials comprising 17, 379 participants. The results are published in The Lancet Psychiatry.

Journalists came to the SMC to hear about the different tapering strategies studied, which are most effective in reducing the risk of relapse, whether the role of psychological therapy improves outcomes, and how these findings can inform clinical practice and patients.

Speakers included:

Dr Giovanni Ostuzzi, Assistant Professor at the University of Verona, Italy

Dr Chiara Gastaldon, Psychiatrist at the University Hospital of Verona, Italy

Prof Corrado Barbui, Full Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Verona, Director of the Psychiatric Unit of the University Hospital of Verona, Italy

This Briefing was accompanied by an SMC Roundup of comments.