Deprescribing antidepressants in children and adolescents - Children's National

A recent systematic review, co-authored by Adelaide Robb, MD, division chief of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Children's National Hospital, examines the challenges of discontinuing antidepressants in children and adolescents. The review, published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, focuses on withdrawal symptoms, tapering strategies and cross-titration between medications. While antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are widely prescribed for mood and anxiety disorders in youth, there is limited guidance on how to safely discontinue these medications.

The review emphasizes that deprescribing strategies should account for factors such as the patient's clinical status and the pharmacokinetics of the medications. It also highlights the need for data-driven discussions on when and how to discontinue antidepressants, stressing the importance of collaboration between clinicians, patients and families to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Read more about this review in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology.