Tapering (medicine)

In medicine, tapering is the practice of gradually reducing the dosage of a medication to reduce or discontinue it. Generally, tapering is done is to avoid or minimize withdrawal symptoms that arise from neurobiological adaptation to the drug.

Prescribed psychotropic drugs that may require tapering due to this physical dependence include opioids,  selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and benzodiazepines.

Cross-tapering
Cross-tapering refers to the practice of reducing one drug, while introducing a new medication that is titrated to an effective dose. This can be used, for example, when changing antipsychotic medications.

Peer support groups
Peer support groups, such as survivingantidepressants.org, provide a medium where those tapering medication can discuss approaches and withdrawal symptoms. Surviving antidepressants advocate for a slower rate of tapering than that used in standard medical practice. Many such groups exist on Facebook and other social media platforms. Along with sharing tapering tips, members of the groups discuss the risks of prescription cascade, where withdrawal symptoms or the side effects of a psychotropic medication result in further medication, and the risk of neurobiological "kindling" effects where repeated unsuccessful withdrawal attempts yield progressively poor results upon drug reinstatement or, later, may increase the risk of withdrawal symptoms.