MORE than half of antidepressant users experience withdrawal when they stop and a third report problems with addiction, but claim they are not prepared for these symptoms, according to a survey written up in the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing.
Researchers from the University of Auckland and the University of London surveyed more than 1,800 antidepressant users in New Zealand and found while only 1% were informed of the potential for withdrawal effects when prescribed the drugs, 55% said they experienced the effects after stopping medication.
This rose to 70% among those who had taken antidepressants for more than three years.
One in four (25.1%) categorised the effects as 'severe', with paroxetine frequently implicated.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 08 Jun 18
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 08 Jun 18
