antidepressant treatment - missed or extra doses and the risks associated with stopping an antidepressant
Last edited 02/2023 and last reviewed 03/2023
antidepressant treatment - missed or extra doses and the risks associated with stopping an antidepressant
- management of missed or extra doses and the risks associated with stopping an antidepressant (1)
- patient advice re: missed or extra doses
(2)
- is important not to miss any of your doses, as this could make your treatment less effective
- it is possible to get withdrawal symptoms as a result of missing a dose of the medicine
- if a single dose is missed
- then skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time
- do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed
- if you take more tablets than prescribed, contact your GP or NHS 111 as soon as possible for advice
- is important not to miss any of your doses, as this could make your treatment less effective
- patient advice re:stopping antidepressants
- it is important to talk to your doctor before you stop taking antidepressants - also it is important that you do not stop taking antidepressants suddenly
- once you're ready to come off antidepressants, your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks - or longer, if you have been taking them for a long time
- this is to help prevent any withdrawal symptoms you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine. These include:
- restlessness
- trouble sleeping
- unsteadiness
- sweating
- stomach problems
- feeling as if there's an electric shock in your head
- feeling irritable, anxious or confused
- this is to help prevent any withdrawal symptoms you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine. These include:
- in general, withdrawal symptoms are mild and get better on their own
- however, some people have withdrawal symptoms that are severe and last for several months or more
- however, some people have withdrawal symptoms that are severe and last for several months or more
- coming off antidepressants too soon can cause your condition to return
- stopping before you have been taking them for 4 weeks may mean the medicine has not had a chance to work
- it is important to talk to your doctor before you stop taking antidepressants - also it is important that you do not stop taking antidepressants suddenly
- patient advice re: missed or extra doses
(2)
Reference:
- NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (February 2023). Monitoring a person during and after antidepressant switching
- NHS Advice (accessed February 21st 2023). Antidepressant treatment - missed doses or stopping treatment