Antidepressant deprescribing

Strategies for safe and effective tapering

Join Dr Caroline West as she hosts an expert panel of Professor Katharine Wallis and Dr Cathy Andronis for an informative webinar on tapering and deprescribing of antidepressants. This session will provide essential guidance on when and how to safely taper these medications, focusing on the unique considerations required for older patients.

Key Topics Covered:

1. When to Consider Tapering Antidepressants:
   Learn the indicators and clinical scenarios that suggest it may be appropriate to begin the tapering process for patients currently on antidepressants.

2. Benefits of Tapering:
   Explore the potential benefits of deprescribing, including improved quality of life, reduced side effects, and enhanced overall health outcomes.

3. Tapering Approaches:
   Gain insight into different tapering strategies, enabling you to tailor the approach to individual patient needs.

4. Identifying Withdrawal vs. Relapse Symptoms:
   Understand how to distinguish between withdrawal symptoms and signs of relapse, ensuring better patient management and support during the tapering process.

5. Non-Pharmacological Supports:
   Discover effective non-pharmacological interventions and supports available to assist patients during deprescribing, including psychological treatments, lifestyle and social strategies.

6. Ongoing Review and Monitoring:
   Learn best practices for monitoring patients throughout the tapering process, ensuring safety and efficacy while adjusting treatment plans as necessary.

7. Promoting Safety and Seeking Help:
   Understand the importance of creating a safety net for patients and know where to refer them for additional support when needed.

8. Considerations for Older Patients:
   Address the unique challenges and considerations when tapering antidepressants in older adults, including polypharmacy and age-related physiological changes.

This is a Medcast Continuing Medical Education (CME) course.

This educational session is brought to you by Medcast and the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance. 

For more free Quality Use of Medicines education, check out QHUB on Medcast