Tapering of antipsychotics should be carried out over a period of months or years, and by reducing the dose gradually at intervals of three to six months, according to a major review carried out by researchers at King’s College London (https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/advance-article/doi/10.1093/schbul/sbab017/6178746?login=true) . According to the researchers, there are currently no published guidelines on how to wean patients off antipsychotics, despite the challenge it presents for prescribers. Symptoms of withdrawal can be severe, ranging from insomnia and depression to auditory hallucinations and delusions, but are avoidable with a carefully managed withdrawal, the researchers said.
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