Researcher and psychiatrist Christiaan Vinkers, Amsterdam UMC: “Many patients stop taking their antidepressant at some point. For example because things have been going well for some time or because they suffer from side effects ”. Co-researcher and psychiatrist Eric Ruhé, Radboudumc adds: “Hardly any research has been done on how best to quit. That is actually quite strange when you consider how many people use this medication. “
More than a million
In the Netherlands, more than a million people are prescribed antidepressants every year. Not everyone has to take these drugs for a long time. A large part of the patients therefore stop taking antidepressants at some point. For some of the patients who want to taper off, this is not without problems. Especially at lower doses, patients develop withdrawal symptoms that resemble a relapse of depression.
Lack of knowledge to best reduce
“These tapering problems are common with the commonly used antidepressants paroxetine and venlafaxine,” says Vinkers. evoke deterioration. ” Through a recently published multidisciplinary document there are recommendations for tapering off antidepressants, but real scientific support is lacking so far.
Two ways, two drugs
Researchers are now working with, among others, the Depression Association to look at the best way to wind down. Ruhé: “We compare the usual and slower phase-out with paroxetine and venlafaxine. These two commonly used antidepressants are the most difficult to taper off. For example, we are investigating whether one way of tapering off causes more withdrawal symptoms than another. But also whether it is more likely that with one of the two taper strategies the depression will return in the longer term. We also look at effectiveness, quality of life and cost-effectiveness. This knowledge will soon be very helpful to patients, doctors and policymakers. ”
Big gap
The Depression Association is pleased with this study. They are also amazed that so remarkably little is known about the withdrawal of antidepressants. Spokesperson Bart Groeneweg: “More knowledge is really needed about the best way to phase out. We know that it is now problematic for a group of patients. They report complaints such as dizziness, nausea, lethargy, tremor, anorexia and headache. This research can fill a large gap in knowledge about phasing out. Many patients will soon be able to benefit from this. ”
Zorgverzekeraars Nederland is also pleased with this unique survey. This will allow doctors and patients to jointly choose the right care when phasing out antidepressants on the basis of scientific research, they say.
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