Starting a psychotropic medication is often far easier than stopping one, and patients frequently get little guidance once it’s time to come off. Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, a former FDA medical officer, lays out a structured, patient-centered approach to deprescribing: how to decide which agent to taper first, which practical methods work (from compounded liquids to dry cuts), and how to recognize withdrawal and adjust the plan when it appears. It gives clinicians a real method where many have been improvising.

Learning objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe a structured, patient-centered approach to discontinuing psychotropic medications, including how to prioritize agents for tapering and select appropriate taper sequences.
2. Apply practical tapering methods, including formulation changes, compounded liquids, dry cuts, and stepwise dose reductions, to support safer psychotropic medication discontinuation.
3. Recognize and manage withdrawal symptoms during tapering by adjusting the taper pace, holding doses, or reinstating medication when clinically indicated, and identify strategies that support successful discontinuation.