Study shows nearly half of long-term antidepressant users can taper off drugs with simple support

There is significant concern regarding increasing long-term antidepressant treatment for depression beyond an evidence-based duration.

The REDUCE study looked to determine whether adding internet and telephone support to a family practitioner review to consider discontinuing long-term antidepressant treatment is safe and more effective than a practitioner review alone.

Results from this Wessex-led study, involving 131 GP practices and 350 participants from across the UK, have now been published. 

Professor Tony Kendrick from Southampton was the lead author of the research which was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Study results

Scientists found a family practitioner review for possible antidepressant discontinuation was safe and effective for more than 40% of patients willing and well enough to continue.  

They also discovered patients who could access online support and psychologists by phone had lower rates of depression, fewer withdrawal symptoms, and reported better mental wellbeing.

The study team believes this is the first study to demonstrate that facilitating discontinuation is possible at scale without providing resource-intensive psychological therapy.

The findings of this study suggest that an active family practitioner review for possible antidepressant discontinuation should be promoted, and more research should be carried out on motivating both patients and practitioners to attempt discontinuation when appropriate, providing information on the possible benefits as well as the relapse risk.

For more information, read the published study here Internet and Telephone Support for Discontinuing Long-Term Antidepressants: The REDUCE Cluster Randomized Trial | Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network