When can I stop taking antidepressants?

When can I stop taking antidepressants?

Although it may be tempting to stop medication as your mood lifts, continue taking it for as long as your doctor recommends. Most doctors advise patients to take antidepressants for six months to a year after they no longer feel depressed. Stopping before that time can cause depression to return.

Can you die from antidepressant withdrawal?

It might seem like you don't need the medication anymore, but if you stop taking it, the medicine will leave your body and your symptoms might return. Quitting without consulting your doctor can be life-threatening. Suicide is a serious concern. It can also trigger withdrawal symptoms and relapse of your depression.

What happens if you stop taking antidepressants for a few days?

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, also called antidepressant withdrawal, occurs when a person abruptly stops taking antidepressant medication. Many people who experience antidepressant withdrawal feel like they have the flu or a stomach bug. They may also experience disturbing thoughts or images.

Which antidepressants cause the most weight gain?

The antidepressants most likely to cause weight gain include amitriptyline (Brand name: Elavil), mirtazapine (Remeron), paroxetine (Paxil, Brisdelle, Pexeva), escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and citalopram (Celexa).

Is it OK to stop taking antidepressants?

Antidepressant withdrawal is possible if you abruptly stop taking an antidepressant, particularly if you've been taking it longer than four to six weeks. Symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal are sometimes called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome and typically last for a few weeks.

Do Ssris permanently change your brain?

Antidepressants rapidly alter brain architecture, study finds. A single dose of SSRI antidepressants such as Fluoxetine, shown here, can change the brain's functional connectivity within three hours, a new study found.

Can stopping antidepressants cause weight gain?

Antidepressants can sometimes cause side effects such as weight gain, fatigue, sexual dysfunction and insomnia. It's understandable that people will want to stop taking these drugs as soon as possible, or after they have felt well for a considerable time.